The Federal Government has filed a criminal charge against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, over alleged forgery and use of false documents in a disputed property case in the United Kingdom.

Ozekome, 68, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a document obtained by Channels Television on Sunday revealed.

The three-count charge was filed before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Friday by ICPC’s Head of High Profile Prosecution Department, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, and Assistant Chief Legal Officer, Ngozi Onwuka, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

The senior lawyer is accused of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.

The alleged offences were committed sometime in August 2021 in the Maitama area of the nation’s capital, within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.

The charge sheet shows three counts, bordering on giving false information, use of forged documents, and attempting to deceive a public authority.

The first count alleges that sometime in August 2021, he directly received House 79 Randall Avenue, London, purportedly given to him by one Shani Tali in a transaction the ICPC says constitutes a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count accuses the senior lawyer of “making a false document,” a Nigerian passport bearing number A07535463 in the name of Mr Shani Tali, with the intent to support a claim of ownership of the London property. This charge is filed under the Penal Code of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the third count, Ozekhome is accused of “dishonestly” using the allegedly false passport as genuine to support the property ownership claim when he had reason to believe the document was false.

The Counts
Count One: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August, 2021 or thereabout at a place outside Nigeria i.e. London, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly received House 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX purportedly given to you by one Mr. Shani Tali, an act you knew constitutes a felony and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Act, 2000.

Count Two: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria did make a false document, to wit: Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr. Shani Tall with intent to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as “79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX with intent to commit fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.”

Count Three: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria dishonestly used as genuine a false “Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr. Shani Tali to support claim of ownership of property known and described as “79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX when you had reason to believe that the said document was false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.

The senior lawyer has yet to comment officially on the fresh charges.

Witnesses
However, the Federal Government listed several witnesses it intends to call during the trial, including its investigators and a representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Documents to be tendered as exhibits include the judgment of the London First-Tier Tribunal, extra-judicial statements, letters from relevant authorities, and passport data relating to Shani Tali.

The case has yet to be assigned a trial date.


Property Dispute
Named in the property dispute are Ozekhome and the late Jeremiah Useni.

It was filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.

The property had been claimed by one ‘Ms Tali Shani on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.

Ozekhome had said he received the house as a gift from ‘Mr Tali Shani’ in 2021, while lawyers for ‘Ms Shani’ insisted she was the rightful owner.

A witness known as ‘Mr Tali Shani had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred the property to the respondent (Ozekhome).

Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner”.

On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc were tendered by witnesses of Ms Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.

However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms Tali Shani to be fake.

The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed and the real owner was Useni.

A long-wanted drug suspect known as “Kanmo-Kanmo” has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

His arrest comes 12 years after his alleged involvement in the killing of three NDLEA officers.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi disclosed that the suspect was apprehended on January 16 in Owode town, Ogun State, following intelligence-led operations by the agency’s tactical teams.

A search of his hideout led to the recovery of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.

Babafemi said the suspect has been on the NDLEA wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to attack NDLEA officers who attempted to arrest him at his enclave.

“Following his involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers, Kanmo-Kanmo, who is notorious for drug trafficking, evading arrest and mobilising armed thugs against security agents, was on Friday, 16th January 2026 tracked to his hideout in Owode town, Ogun State by tactical teams of the agency following credible intelligence,” the statement read.

“During the clinical operation, the suspect was found in possession of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no fugitive, regardless of how long they evade justice, remains beyond the reach of the law.

“​Lekan Jimoh’s criminal history is marked by extreme violence and lawlessness. As a result, on 15th June 2014 orchestrated a barbaric mob action against a team of NDLEA officers who had attempted to arrest him at his enclave.

“The attack resulted in the cold-blooded murder of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others, who were killed by armed thugs mobilised by Jimoh. While the suspect managed to escape the scene that day, the agency remained resolute in its pursuit of justice for the fallen heroes.”

In a related operation on August 12, 2023, NDLEA operatives raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, where 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms were recovered.

The suspect again evaded arrest at the time. The property, which was used as a drug warehouse, was later forfeited to the Federal Government following court proceedings.

In a separate operation, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives in Edo State on Tuesday, January 13, raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba town, Owan West Local Government Area, arresting a 53-year-old suspect, Isihor Edika, and seizing 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.

In Abuja, Babafemi said a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, at Kaura District, over the alleged online sale of illicit drugs, was arrested.

He said items recovered from her residence included 2.2 kilograms of skunk and quantities of cannabis oil.

“In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, operatives on Friday, 16th January, tracked and arrested a 44-year-old lady, Yinka Agboola, following intelligence on her online sale of illicit substances.

The Federal Government has commiserated with the governments and peoples of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe following the loss of lives in the recent floods ravaging the countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Sunday, sympathised with the affected countries over the human and material losses caused by the floods.

“Nigeria also notes with concern the secondary humanitarian impacts, including food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and the heightened vulnerability of women, children, and other at-risk populations.

“The Government of Nigeria expresses solidarity with the ongoing rescue, evacuation, and relief efforts being undertaken by national authorities, regional institutions, and international humanitarian partners.

“We also acknowledge the resilience and resolve of the affected countries as they respond to this natural disaster and begin the process of recovery and rebuilding,” the statement, signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, partly read.

The Federal Government further expressed concern over the growing threat posed by climate-related extreme weather events across Africa.

It reiterated the importance of strengthened regional cooperation, early-warning systems, climate adaptation strategies, and sustained international support to mitigate the humanitarian and developmental consequences of such disasters.

“Nigeria assures the affected countries of its continued goodwill and support and reaffirms its commitment to cooperation with affected countries at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels in promoting disaster preparedness, humanitarian response, and climate resilience.

“The thoughts and prayers of the Government and people of Nigeria are with the Governments and people of South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and all other affected countries during this difficult period,” it added.

The floods reportedly claimed the lives of over 100 people as of Friday, and displaced thousands across parts of Southern Africa, following weeks of torrential rainfall that have left entire communities cut off.

There is fear among residents as weather services across the region have issued further alerts.

The floods have overwhelmed rivers, damaged roads and bridges, displaced large populations, with communities cut off, and disrupted agricultural production and essential services.