Mike Ozekhome Is In EFCC Detention, Set To Face Charges’ – Source

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and may face fresh charges, according to a top intelligence source.

The source,who spoke with Sahara Reporters, disclosed on Tuesday, “Ozekhome is in EFCC detention and is set to face fresh charges.”

The development comes hours after the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama struck out a three-count forgery charge earlier filed against him.

The suit, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, bordered on allegations that Ozekhome forged documents in connection with a disputed property in London, United Kingdom.

The case, filed under Charge No: FCT/HC/CR/010/26, was initially signed on January 16, 2026, by ICPC officials on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

However, when the matter came up for arraignment on Tuesday, counsel to the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo, moved an application to withdraw the charge.

He told the court that the AGF’s office needed time to review and consolidate issues involving different investigating agencies to strengthen the case.

Following the application, Justice Peter Kekemeke struck out the suit.

Before its withdrawal, the SAN had faced three counts bordering on alleged receipt of property abroad, forgery and fraudulent use of false documents.

Count One alleged that in August 2021, while outside Nigeria in London, Ozekhome received a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, allegedly given to him by one Mr Shani Tali, an act prosecutors said constituted 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 support a claim of ownership over the London property, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code applicable in the FCT.

Count Three alleged that he dishonestly used the falsified passport as a genuine document to substantiate ownership claims, despite knowing it to be false.

At an earlier sitting, Oyedepo had assured the court that the matter would be prosecuted with “the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with due process of law.”

The arraignment followed a ruling in September 2025 by the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which held 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 proceedings, filed under case number REF/2023/0155, the tribunal dismissed claims by Ozekhome and individuals presenting themselves as “Mr” and “Ms” Tali Shani.

Delivering judgment, Judge Ewan Paton said, “I find that a large number of documents in this case have been produced or procured by forgery or deception,” citing fake identity documents, fraudulent witness statements, forged medical letters and fabricated burial notices.

“The real owner, via a false name, was General Jeremiah Useni,” the tribunal stated.