By Edith Nwapi
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagnemi,
SAN has formally taken over the prosecution of Mike Ozekhome SAN,in the
alleged fraud charges brought against him by ICPC.
Ozekhome was to be arraigned today by the Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in an Abuja high court, for alleged
forgery in UK property case
When the matter was called, Dr Osuebeni Akpomesingha, announced appearance
for the prosecution.
Kanu Agabi, SAN a former AGF and Minister of Justice, and others announced
their appearance for the defendant while the Director, Public Prosecution of the
Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, announced his appearance on behalf of
the AGF.
He informed the court of the AGF ‘s decision to take over the case from ICPC,
stating that the decision was in pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
Oyedepo added that the FG plans to collaborate with the ICPC to ensure that the
prosecution meets the highest standard of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and
compliance with due process of law.
The DPPF further told the court that the decision was also guided by public interest
and to instil confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice.
He assured the court that the right of the defendant will be protected and that no
party suffers any adverse.
The AGF therefore sought adjournment to enable his office retrieve the case file
from the ICPC to thoroughly review it and take the next line of action.
The ICPC lawyer , did not object to the takeover and promised that the commission
will cooperate fully with the AGF office, being the agency that investigated the
matter.
By consensus of lawyers, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned until Feb. 24 for
arraignment.
Court document marked: FCT/HC/CR/010/26 dated and filed Jan. 16, recorded
Ozekhome as sole defendant.
In the three count charge obtained from ICPC, Count one alleges that Ozekhome,
sometime in August 2021 or thereabout in London, within the jurisdiction of the
court, directly received House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly
given to him by one Mr Shani Tali.
The agency said that the lawyer knew the act constitutes a felony and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of
the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Act, 2000.
In count two, Ozekhome was alleged to have sometime in August 2021 or
thereabout, while being a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria did
make a false document with a Nigeria passport: A07535463, bearing the name of
Mr Shani.
ICPC alleged that the senior lawyer did this with plan to use same to support claim
of ownership of property known and described as “79, Randall Avenue, London
NW2 78X with intent to commit fraud.”
The offence according to the commission is 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 accused Ozekhome of 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 he had reason to believe that the said document was false.
ICPC said the offence is contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364
of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.
