The Federal Government of Nigeria filed a fresh 12-count charge against Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, over alleged fraud involving a UK property. Prosecutors lodged the case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Tuesday.
Background of the Case
The dispute centered on a property located at 74 Randall Avenue in London. Authorities claimed the defendants conspired to forge documents, including a Nigerian passport, to claim ownership.
This action followed the withdrawal of an earlier three count charge, which the Attorney General of the Federation amended to include more allegations and an additional defendant.
Additionally, the case linked to the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Details of the Charges
Prosecutors accused Ozekhome and Useni of forging Nigerian passport number A07535463 in the name of Tali Shani in 2020. They allegedly used the document to support their claim on the UK property.
Furthermore, the charge stated that the defendants executed an irrevocable power of attorney dated May 30, 2020, with a fictitious person to facilitate the fraud.eb1d72 The offenses violated sections 83, 84, and 321 of the Penal Code Law, 2009.
Defendants’ Involvement
Ozekhome, residing at 55 Nile Street in Maitama, Abuja, faced charges of abetting cheating by personation. Useni, from 12 Dagash M. Street in Kado Estate, Abuja, stood accused alongside him.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo from the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, detailed how the duo agreed to commit the illegal acts.
Legal Proceedings
The court scheduled the arraignment for a later date. Meanwhile Ozekhome denied the allegations in a prior statement, claiming the property belonged to his client and that the charges lacked merit.
However the government pressed forward with the amended case to address the full scope of the alleged conspiracy.
