The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has officially opened a criminal case against Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, concerning allegations involving a London property and the use of a falsified Nigerian passport.
The case, filed under charge number FCT/HC/CR/010/26, was instituted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chief Ozekhome, aged 68 and resident at No. 53 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, faces three counts relating to alleged receipt of property abroad, forgery, and fraudulent use of false documents.
The charges include:
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Receiving a London property illegally in August 2021, located at 79 Randall Avenue, allegedly given by Mr. Shani Tali.
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Creating a false Nigerian passport to support a claim over the London property.
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Fraudulently using the passport as genuine documentation to claim ownership.
The charge sheet was signed on January 16, 2026, by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha and Ngozi Onwuka on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation. The court has not yet set a hearing date.
The dispute stems from a long-standing ownership battle over the London property. A UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) ruled that the house actually belonged to the estate of the late Nigerian General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, dismissing claims by Ozekhome and others using the name “Tali Shani.” The tribunal confirmed that all “Tali Shani” identities were fraudulent, and the true owner had purchased the property in 1993 under a false name.
The case highlighted issues of fake identities, offshore accounts, and high-level political intrigue in Nigeria. Following the UK tribunal ruling, the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), announced that complaints against senior lawyers, including Ozekhome, would be examined for possible professional misconduct and disciplinary action.
