Category Nigeria News

A day after it withdrew the three-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Government has filed a fresh 12-count charge against Mike Ozekhome (SAN). 

Channels Television obtained a copy of the charge sheet dated February 24th, 2026, and signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

In the charge filed before the FCT High Court sitting in Abuja, Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, are listed as the defendants in the criminal suit.

In the fresh count, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (Aka Tali Shani) and the General Jeremiah Useni now deceased allegedly conspired in the year 2020 to procure a false Nigerian passport in the name of Tali Shani with the intent of using same to support their claim to a property, in the United Kingdom, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.

READ ALSO: [Alleged Forgery] Court Strikes Out Suit Against Ozekhome

Find below the full counts in the fresh charge:

COUNT 1

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometimes in the year 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, 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, and purported same to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service with the intent of using the same to support your claim of a property, lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.

COUNT 2

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime between the 30th day of May, 2020 and 2021 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani, and purported same to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service with the intent of using the same to support your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 363 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.

COUNT 3

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.

COUNT 4

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja, and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometimes between 2023 and 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly used as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani, and you thereby committed an offence of forgery contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Law.

COUNT 5

That you Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja on or about the 30th day of May,2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court falsely personated Tani Shani, a fictitious person and with such assumed character made a Power of Attorney wherein you held yourself out as Tali Shani and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 179 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under the same section of the same Law.

COUNT 6

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, abetted the commission of an offence to wit: personation of one Tali Shani by Ponfa Useni who with such assumed false character made and executed with you as a party, an Irrevocable Power of Attorney dated the 30th day of May,2020 to facilitate your claim of a property lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 83, 84 of the Penal Code Law, 2009 and punishable under section 179 of the same Law.

Count 7

That you Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja on or about the 30th day of May,2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court cheated by personation when you pretended to be one Tali Shani, a fictitious person and with such assumed character executed an Irrevocable Power of Attorney dated the 30th day of May,2020 with Chief Mike. A.A Ozekhome, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 322 of the same section of the same Law.

Count 8

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, abetted the commission of an offence to wit: cheating by personation when you jointly executed an irrevocable power of Attorney dated the 30th day of May,2020 with one Tali Shani, a fictitious person to facilitate your claim of a property lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 83, 84, 321 of the Penal Code Law, 2009 and punishable under section 322 of the same Law.

Count 9

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had under your control a property lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom which property is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained by General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased) with a fictious name Tali Shani, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 319A of the Penal Code Law, 2009.

Count 10

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had under your control the sum of Eighteen Thousand Pounds Sterling being part of the rent accrued from a property lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom which property is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained by General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased) with a fictious name Tali Shani, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 319A of the Penal Code Law, 2009.

Count 11

That you, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, Male, Adult of 55 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), Male, Adult of 12 Dagash M. Street, Kado Estate, Phase 1, Abuja and General Jeremiah Useni (now deceased), sometimes in the year 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act, to wit: making a false document titled: RE: REQUEST FOR AUTHENTICATION OF NIGERIAN PASSPORT NO. A07535463 BELONGING TO MR. TALI SHANI dated 4th May,2023 and purported same to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service with the intent of using the same to support your claim of a property, lying, being and situate at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009 and punishable under section 364 of the same Law.

 COUNT 12

In a shakeup of the police hierarchy in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police. 

Disu was appointed after Kayode Egbetokun resigned as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” he said.

READ ALSO: Kayode Egbetokun Resigns As IGP — Presidency

Here are five things to know about the acting IGP Tunji Disu:

1. World-Class Athlete

Outside his policing duties, the acting IGP is a judoka and has competed in several international championships.

In August 2022, Disu won a silver medal in the U.S. Open Judo Championship. The ex-commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) contested in the minus 100 kg category of the veteran division in Brookline, Massachusetts.

2. The ‘Good Guys’ Rebranding

During his stint as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos from 2015 to 2021, the police chief was credited with rebranding the police unit as “The Good Guys.”

The move was part of measures to enhance trust among Lagosians and give a human face to policing.

3. Strong Academic Background

With three degrees, the former RRS boss is one of the most academically decorated officers in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). He has a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from the Lagos State University (LASU).

Disu also bagged a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University and another in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from LASU.

4. Extensive Experience in Rivers, FCT Command, IRT

The Lagos-born officer has led the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State commands of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

He was appointed as Commissioner of Police in the FCT on September 19, 2025, a position that saw him move from Rivers State, where he was the commissioner.

He became commissioner in Rivers on November 9, 2023, and was credited to have led the dismantling of criminal gangs and a general reduction in crimes.

The acting IGP served as the head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), taking over from Abba Kyari. His appointment came on August 2, 2021, under the leadership of ex police chief, Usman Alkali Baba.

 5. Return To Abuja

Having just assumed office as the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of FCID Alagbon, Lagos, Disu, who has been in the NPF since 1992, is returning to Abuja, where he served as a commissioner just some months ago.

Disu: A New Challenge Ahead

Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on their victory in Saturday’s bye-elections held in two state constituencies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the polls to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Ukalikpe Napoleon emerged winner in Ahoada East State Constituency II, while Bulabari Henrietta Loolo secured victory in Khana State Constituency II, defeating candidates of other political parties.

Governor Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, described the victories as well-deserved, citing the candidates’ popularity in their respective constituencies.

He said the results reflected the beauty of democracy, noting that when people believe in a candidate’s capacity, they express it through their votes.

READ ALSO: APC, PDP Trade Words Over 2026 FCT LG Election Results

The governor expressed readiness to work with the newly elected lawmakers and their colleagues in the Assembly.

“It is the beauty of democracy. When the people believe in your capacity, they will give you their votes. I look forward to working with them and their colleagues in the State House of Assembly,” the governor said.

The governor also commended residents of the two constituencies for conducting themselves peacefully before, during, and after the elections.

Fubara Lists Achievements in healthcare

Meanwhile, Fubara has declared that his administration has made significant strides in the health sector in the past two and a half years.

He listed some of his achievements, including the employment of over 2,000 health workers, which was in order to boost the manpower and efficiency of the sector.

The statement disclosed that the administration has revived and expanded several abandoned health facilities, including the Zonal Hospitals in Bori, Omoku, Ahoada, and Degema.

“As an administration, we are very passionate about the health of every citizen and resident of Rivers State. When we realised that many people have been under stress as a result of economic hardship, we decided to introduce mental health services at the primary healthcare level,” Nzeshi said in another statement.

The remains of traders attacked and killed while travelling from Jos to Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State have been recovered and buried in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

Relatives of the victims, who were known to travel weekly to Pankshin for shoe trading, said the burial took place on Monday evening at the Sabon Anguwa cemetery in Barkin Ladi town.

Channels Television learnt from government sources that the decision to bury the victims outside their home communities was taken to avert tension that had begun to build following reports of the killings.

The victims were residents of the Yandoya community in Jos North Local Government Area.

They were killed following the attack on two communities, where 10 people were killed in the Dorowa Babuje and Jol communities of Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments of the state.

READ ALSO: Four Killed, Two Soldiers Missing In Plateau Attack

A community leader, Danjuma Ibrahim, told Channels Television that youths had gathered after news of the attack broke, demanding the release of the bodies of their relatives, a situation that prompted security agencies to deploy personnel to restore calm.

Ibrahim, leader of the Muslim community in Barkin Ladi, said the bodies were brought into the area earlier on Monday.

“We were contacted in the afternoon that the corpses of the traders would be brought to Barkin Ladi for burial. They were later received, and the funeral rites were performed here to douse tension in Jos,” he said.

He disclosed that six traders were involved in the attack, but two managed to escape, while four were killed and buried.

Nigeria’s gross external reserves climbed to $50.45 billion as of 16 February 2026, marking the highest level in 13 years, according to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso.

Cardoso disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the end of the 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja.

He said the increase reflects stronger macroeconomic conditions and improved confidence in the country’s policy direction.

“Gross external reserves rose significantly to 50.45 billion dollars as of February 16, 2026, the highest in 13 years. This provides an import cover of 9.68 months for goods and services,” Cardoso stated.



Drivers 

Providing further insight, the governor attributed the rise to favourable trade dynamics, a surplus current account position, and growth in non-oil exports.

Cardoso noted that market confidence played a central role.

“The gross reserves are the largest that we have had in the last 13 years. We have seen very positive signals with respect to the way the macro is developing, favourable trade developments, the current account is in healthy surplus, and non-oil exports have also gone up.

“Underpinning all these, quite frankly, is market confidence. Without market confidence, no matter what you do, you will find significantly sub-optimised outcomes.

“Over time, we have embarked on a number of international fora where we told our story, made promises, and ensured we stuck to those promises. We have been as open and transparent as possible to engender positive market sentiment, and I believe that has paid off,” he stated.

Sustainability, Risks

On the sustainability of the reserves, Cardoso cautioned that external and domestic risks remain, including global shocks, oil price volatility, and fiscal pressures.

“On how sustainable, there will always be risks to any outlook. We cannot underestimate potential global shocks that could come our way. Nobody has a crystal ball; we can only project into the future. Oil prices and how they play out are factors we can only forecast.

“Importantly, pre-election spending, if not properly contained, could destabilise the stability we have accomplished, as well as fiscal deficits. We are in a new year, and that is being looked at carefully. On our side, we must ensure consistency in policy formulation and avoid policy somersaults,” he said.

The apex bank had earlier projected that reserves could rise to about $51.04 billion by the end of 2026.

This is the strongest balance since May 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion.

The reserves ended 2025 at roughly $45.5 billion (up from $40.8 billion at the start of that year) and have maintained a steady upward trajectory throughout early 2026.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has projected that reserves could reach $51 billion by the end of 2026.

Interest Rate

At the event, Cardoso announced that the MPC reduced the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent from 27 per cent, with all committee members voting unanimously.

“The committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent,” he said.

The MPC also “retained the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent, adjusted the standing facilities corridor to +50/-450 basis points around the MPR, maintained the Cash Reserve Ratio at 45 per cent for commercial banks and 16 per cent for merchant banks, kept the 75 per cent CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits.”

Cardoso explained that the policy decision followed a balanced assessment of risks, with inflation continuing on a downward path.

“The decision was premised on a balanced evaluation of risks to the outlook, which suggests that the ongoing disinflation trajectory would continue, supported by the lagged transmission of previous tightening, sustained exchange rate stability, and improved food supply.

The committee noted the sustained deceleration in year-on-year headline inflation in January 2026, marking the 11th consecutive month of decline,” he added.

Kayode Egbetokun has resigned from his position as the Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

A source in the presidency told Channels Television that Egbetokun resigned from the position on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, later confirmed Egbetokun’s resignation.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, following the submission of his letter citing pressing family considerations,” Onanuga said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

Tinubu thanked the ex-IGP for his “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation”.

“The President acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure,” he said.

Following the resignation, the ex-Lagos governor approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement read.

Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023.

READ ALSO: Letter Confirms IGP’s Four-Year Tenure, To Remain In Office Till 2027

The Nigeria Police Council confirmed his substantive appointment on October 31 of the same year.

Upon his appointment, Egbetokun promised to “chase away” criminals in Nigeria.

“I will tell you that right now, I feel like a Tiger inside of me, ready to chase away all the criminals in Nigeria. And some other time, I feel like a lion in me, ready to devour all the internal enemies of Nigeria,” he said.

He replaced  Usman Baba, who was appointed as the Inspector General of Police by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

Born on 4th September, 1964 from the Egbado South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Egbetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) on March 3, 1990.

The latter part of Egbetokun’s tenure was marked by controversy over his extended stay in office, which drew public criticism.

Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire in September 2024 upon attaining the age of 60.

But his tenure extended beyond the mandatory retirement limits of 60 years of age or 35 years of service, prompting sustained criticism from civil society groups, among others.

Critics argued that the extension breached established police service regulations and weakened institutional discipline.

However, the police maintained at the time that the development did not amount to an extension but was a confirmation that he would complete the four-year tenure stated in his original letter of appointment.

In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill to allow a person appointed as Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.