The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC) has appointed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
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However, the development prevented Ozekhome’s planned arraignment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the three-count charge against him, which includes forgery, that the ICPC had filed against him.
Rotimi Oyedepo, the director of public prosecution of the Federation, stated at the time that he was representing the AGF and informed the court that the AGF had chosen to transfer the case to the ICPC.
Oyedepo claimed that Section 174 of the Constitution gave him the authority to act under his own rules.
Osuebeni Akpomisingha, the ICPC’s attorney, did not oppose the AGF’s acquisition of the case.
Kanu Agabi, a former attorney general of the Federation and the head of a team of lawyers that included 15 SANs for the defense, did not oppose Fagbemi’s decision to take charge of the case.
Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned until February 24 for arraignment following an Oyedepo request for an adjournment that was denied by Agabi.
Property Debate
The late Jeremiah Useni, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was set for January 26th, and the Federal High Court Abuja had scheduled a decision on that matter.
The court’s decision came after a person or representative from Useni’s estate failed to show cause to the Federal Government that the property should not be forfeited within the 14-day deadline.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed an ex parte request for an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the disputed property in late 2025, alleging that it was acquired with proceeds from unlawful activity.
The CCB was ordered to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within 14 days, and Justice Binta Nyako granted it on November 28. This request was for “any person or body” with an interest in the property to come forward and demonstrate legitimate acquisition.
Ozekhome (SAN) and Useni, a retired lieutenant-general, are the owners of the property, which is located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The dispute was filed with the UK’s First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registry under case number ref/2023/0155, with Ozekhome serving as the respondent and Tali Shani serving as the applicant.
One “Ms. Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other claimed the property.
The SAN claimed that “Mr. Tali Shani” gave the house to him in 2021, but “Ms. Shani’s” attorneys asserted that she was the property’s owner.
According to a witness identified as “Mr. Tali Shani,” Ozekhome claimed that he had “powers of attorney” over the property and that he had given it to the respondent (Ozekhome) for the property.
Useni was described as “elder friend and business partner,” and Mr. Tali Shani claimed to be the property’s owner from 1993.
However, Ms. Tali Shani’s witnesses filed a number of documents, including an NIN card, an NIN card, an ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc. to claim property ownership.
However, the tribunal determined that all of Ms. Tali Shani’s documents were fake.
Source: Channels TV
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