The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, over allegations of forgery and the use of false documents in a disputed property case in the United Kingdom. The charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, January 17, 2026.
The case, registered as FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, was instituted by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of the High Profile Prosecution Department at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alongside Ngozi Onwuka, Assistant Chief Legal Officer, acting on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Ozekhome, 68, faces a three-count charge alleging that he knowingly presented forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to claim ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings at the London First-Tier Tribunal. The alleged offences reportedly occurred in August 2021, within the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Count One: Alleged receipt of a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London, from “Mr Tali Shani” using forged documentation, contrary to Sections 13 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count Two: Allegedly creating a false Nigerian passport (A07535463) in the name of Shani Tali to support ownership claims, contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the FCT Penal Code.
Count Three: Alleged dishonest use of the false passport to support ownership claims, contrary to Sections 366 and 364 of the FCT Penal Code.
The federal government has listed witnesses for the trial, including investigators and representatives from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Documents expected as exhibits include tribunal judgments, extra-judicial statements, official letters, and passport record.
The dispute involves ownership claims over 79 Randall Avenue, London. The property case was first filed at the London First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), under case REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as respondent.
Ozekhome claimed the property was gifted to him by “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. The applicant, Ms Shani, contested ownership, presenting documents including an obituary, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, and other records. The tribunal dismissed claims for both “Mr” and “Ms” Shani, ruling that neither existed, and concluded that the real owner was Useni, a retired lieutenant-general who had managed the property under a false name.
As of this report, a trial date has not been assigned.
