The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome (SAN), Ponfa Useni and the late General Jeremiah Useni before the Federal Capital Territory High Court over alleged forgery and related offences.
The defendants were docked before Justice C.N. Oji at the Maitama division of the court on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the amended charge dated February 25, 2026, seeking its substitution for the earlier charge filed on February 24, 2026. He also urged the court to adopt the proof of evidence comprising 501 pages and invite the defendants to enter their pleas.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2020 in Abuja to procure a false Nigerian international passport, No. A07535463, bearing the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with the intent of using it to support a claim of ownership of a property located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.
Another count alleges that in 2022, the defendants conspired to use the said passport as genuine to facilitate their ownership claim over the same property.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 96 and 364 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, 2006.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to grant accelerated hearing in view of the public interest and the professional standing of the parties involved. Oyedepo informed the court that although the prosecution had been served with separate bail applications, it would not oppose them.
Counsel to the first defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), commended the prosecution for not objecting to bail and requested that his client be admitted on self-recognition, citing his over 45 years of legal practice, residence in Abuja and standing as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Onoja (SAN), expressed appreciation for the prosecution’s position on bail, noting that his client had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC on liberal terms due to a serious heart condition. He urged the court to release his client to his spouse on similar conditions.
Ruling on the applications, Justice Oji granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one reasonable surety who must own property in Abuja. The court also ordered that the defendants’ international passports be deposited with the court.
The matter was adjourned to March 13 and April 15 and 16, 2026, for trial, with the court directing that the case be given accelerated hearing.
