The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Monday, took over the prosecution of the criminal case instituted against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
New Telegraph had earlier reported that the arraignment of Ozekhome was scheduled for Monday, January 26, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on a three-count charge bordering on alleged forgery.
The decision followed the failure of any individual or representative of Useni’s estate to appear within the 14-day statutory window to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
When the matter was mentioned, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced his appearance for the AGF and formally informed the court of the decision by the Attorney General to assume control of the case.
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Oyedepo told the court that the AGF was acting pursuant to the powers conferred on him under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Counsel to the ICPC, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, who filed the charge, raised no objection to the takeover of the prosecution.
Similarly, former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led a 15-member team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria for the defence, did not oppose the AGF’s intervention.
Following an application for adjournment by Oyedepo, which was not contested by Agabi, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter to February 24 for arraignment.
One of the counts in the charge reads: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ’68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a legal practitioner and senior advocate of Nigeria did make a false document, to wit: Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali with intent to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX with intent to commit fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 363 and punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.
