The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Ponfa Useni and the late General Jeremiah Useni before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery of documents and a Nigerian international passport linked to a property in the United Kingdom.
The defendants were brought before Justice C.N. Oji on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of an amended charge dated February 25, 2026, and urged the court to substitute it for the earlier charge filed on February 24, 2026.
“My lord, I also want to draw your attention to the proof of evidence filed alongside the documents marked page 1 to 501, that your lordship will accept the amended charge alongside the proof of evidence. We rely on them that your lordship will cause the defendants to take their pleas,” Oyedepo said.
The court granted the application, and the amended charge was read to the defendants.
In count one, the EFCC alleged that the defendants, sometime in 2020 in Abuja, agreed to make a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 bearing the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with intent to use it to support a claim of ownership of a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
“That you… agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: making a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name, Tali Shani… with the intent of using same to support your claim of ownership of the property known as No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom…”
Count three further alleges that the defendants conspired in 2022 to use the said passport as genuine to facilitate the property claim.
The alleged offences are said to be contrary to Sections 96 and 96(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the FCT 2006, and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution Seeks Accelerated Hearing
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to grant accelerated hearing in the interest of justice.
“My lord, a lot are at stake in this proceedings, in the interest of the society, that of the defence and that of the legal profession… we will be urging your lordship that this matter… be granted priority,” Oyedepo said, adding that the prosecution would not oppose the bail applications already filed by the defence.
Counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, commended the prosecution for not opposing bail and assured the court of cooperation to ensure speedy determination of the case.
He prayed the court to admit his client to bail on self-recognition, describing him as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over 45 years of legal practice and a resident of Abuja.
Counsel to the second defendant, Onoja, SAN, also appreciated the prosecution’s stance and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing his client’s serious heart condition. He requested that the second defendant be released to his wife as surety.
Justice Oji granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one reasonable surety who must own property in Abuja. The court also ordered that the defendants deposit their international passports with the court.
The judge directed that the matter be given accelerated hearing.
The case was adjourned to March 13, 2026, and April 15 and 16, 2026, for trial.
