ICPC files criminal charge against Ozekhome over UK property fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a criminal charge against Mike Ozekhome (SAN) over allegations bordering on fraud in relation to a property in London, the United Kingdom.

The ICPC, in a three-count charge filed by its lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, at the Abuja High Court, accused Ozekhome of complicity in the large-scale corruption case.

The fresh charge, marked: FCT/HC/CR/010/26 dated and filed January 16, named Ozekhome as sole defendant.

Count one of the charge obtained on Sunday alleged that the 68-year-old lawyer, in August 2021 or thereabout in London, directly received House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly given to him by one Shani Tali.

The act he knew 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, 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 Shani Tali.

The ICPC alleged that the 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.”

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It said the offence contravened 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.”

The 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.

In support of the charge are the list of exhibits which include a case number: REF/2023/0155 (judgment) dated Sept. 11, 2025; extra-judicial statement of the defendant dated January 12, 2026.

Others are interim forfeiture proceeding in respect of House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX at the Federal High Court; a letter dated December 18, 2025; a data page of Shani Tali and any other relevant documents being awaited relating to the case.

The ICPC, in its proof of evidence, listed the witnesses to testify against Ozekhome to include Wakili Musa and Tosin Olayiwola, who are both investigators with the commission.

A representative of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), whose name was not mentioned in the proof of evidence, is also expected to give evidence to establish the case against the senior lawyer.

Others are Ebenezer Nduo and Blessing Monokpo, who are also investigators with the ICPC, and any other vital witness by way of subpoena or filing additional list of witnesses.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.

The Star