Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, is reportedly in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and may be arraigned on fresh charges, according to a senior intelligence source.
The source, who spoke with Sahara Reporters on Tuesday, said, “Ozekhome is in EFCC detention and is set to face fresh charges.”
The reported development comes just hours after the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama struck out a three-count forgery charge previously filed against him.
The case, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), involved allegations that Ozekhome forged documents linked to a disputed property in London, United Kingdom.
The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26, was dated January 16, 2026, and signed by ICPC officials on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
However, when the matter was called for arraignment on Tuesday, counsel to the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo, applied to withdraw the charge.
He informed the court that the AGF’s office required time to review and harmonise issues involving multiple investigative agencies in order to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Justice Peter Kekemeke subsequently struck out the suit following the application.
Before the withdrawal, the SAN had been facing three counts relating to alleged receipt of property abroad, forgery, and fraudulent use of false documents.
Count One alleged that in August 2021, while in London, Ozekhome received a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, allegedly transferred to him by one Mr Shani Tali—an act prosecutors described as a felony under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count Two accused him of forging a Nigerian passport in the name of Shani Tali to back a claim of ownership over the London property, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code applicable in the FCT.
Count Three alleged that he knowingly used the forged passport as genuine to support ownership claims.
At an earlier hearing, Oyedepo had assured the court that the case would be pursued with “the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with due process of law.”
The arraignment followed a September 2025 ruling by the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which determined that the disputed property belonged to the estate of the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In the UK case, referenced as REF/2023/0155, the tribunal dismissed claims made by Ozekhome and individuals identified as “Mr” and “Ms” Tali Shani.
In his judgment, Judge Ewan Paton stated, “I find that a large number of documents in this case have been produced or procured by forgery or deception,” referencing fake identity papers, fabricated witness statements, forged medical letters, and false burial notices.
“The real owner, via a false name, was General Jeremiah Useni,” the tribunal stated.
