The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 27, 2026, arraigned human rights lawyer Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, alongside Ponfa Useni.
The duo, appearing before Justice C.N. Oji, face a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by pretence. Also named in the charge, securitynewsalert.com heard, is the late General Jeremiah Useni.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired to forge a Nigerian International Passport (No. A07535463) under the alias “Tali Shani.” According to the EFCC, this document was purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to facilitate a fraudulent claim of ownership over a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
One of the counts read in court stated: “That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime in the year 2020 in Abuja… agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: making a false Nigerian International Passport… with the intent of using same to support your claim of ownership of the property… and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96(1) of the Penal Code Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read.
Following the “not guilty” pleas, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, underscored the gravity of the case, noting that the reputation of the legal profession and the interests of society were at stake.
“My lord, a lot is at stake in these proceedings, in the interest of the society, that of the defence and that of the legal profession,” Oyedepo argued. “As such, we will be urging your lordship that this matter, with the cooperation of the defence, be granted or accord priority to the hearing and determination of this matter, I mean accelerated hearing.”
He further noted that while the prosecution would not oppose the defendants’ bail applications, they requested very short trial days to enable the defendants to show cause in good faith and allow the prosecution to prepare.
Counsel for Mike Ozekhome, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, moved for bail on the grounds of self-recognition, highlighting Ozekhome’s standing as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45 years of experience. He assured the court that the defence would cooperate fully with the move for an accelerated trial.
In a similar vein, counsel for Ponfa Useni, Onoja, SAN, appealed for liberal bail conditions, citing his client’s “dangerous heart condition” and the fact that his spouse is also a member of the legal bar.
“My short application is that he should be released to his wife in the same manner. I urge your lordship that you make the bail condition to be one surety who should be his spouse,” Onoja pleaded.
Justice C.N. Oji granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) each with one reasonable surety who must possess property within Abuja. The judge also ordered that their international passports be domiciled in the custody of the court and affirmed that the matter would be granted an accelerated hearing.
This case marks a significant move by the EFCC against high-ranking members of the legal and military-linked elite. The investigation into the London property has been ongoing for some time, involving cross-border verification of documents and immigration records. The inclusion of the late General Jeremiah Useni in the charge sheet suggests the alleged conspiracy dates back to 2020.
Justice Oji adjourned the matter to March 13, April 15, and April 16, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
