The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has taken over the prosecution of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome in a high-profile fraud case involving a property in the United Kingdom.
Ozekhome was due to be arraigned in an Abuja High Court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). However, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, informed the court that the AGF had decided to take over the case under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
Oyedepo explained that the move was motivated by public interest, the need for inter-agency collaboration, and the desire to ensure the prosecution adheres to the highest standards of fairness and diligence. He assured the court that the defendant’s rights would be protected and that no party would suffer prejudice.
The AGF requested an adjournment to allow his office to retrieve the case files from ICPC and conduct a thorough review. ICPC pledged full cooperation with the transition. Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter until 24 February for arraignment.
ICPC’s three-count charge alleges that Ozekhome, in August 2021, received a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, from Mr Shani Tali knowing the act amounted to a felony. He is further accused of forging a Nigerian passport in Mr Tali’s name to support a fraudulent claim to the property and using it dishonestly, offences punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.
The development marks a significant intervention by the AGF, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to upholding public confidence and competence in criminal prosecutions involving high-profile figures.
