ABUJA: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained prominent legal practitioner, Mike Ozekhome, over his alleged involvement in a controversial United Kingdom property dispute popularly known as the “Tali Shani affair.”
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that Ozekhome was taken into custody shortly after an FCT High Court struck out an earlier forgery charge filed against him. He is reportedly expected to face fresh prosecution as investigations continue.
The arrest is said to be separate from a newly filed 12-count charge instituted by the Federal Government concerning the disputed property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, United Kingdom.
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The property dispute was previously heard before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, where “Tali Shani” was listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as respondent. The late retired military officer, Jeremiah Useni, was also mentioned in connection with the matter.
During proceedings before the tribunal, Ozekhome reportedly claimed that the property was gifted to him in 2021 by an individual identified as “Mr Tali Shani.” However, legal representatives acting for another claimant, “Ms Tali Shani,” insisted she was the legitimate owner of the property.
A witness presented as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome’s claim, stating that he possessed powers of attorney over the property and had transferred ownership to the senior advocate. He further claimed to have owned the property since 1993 and later appointed Useni as its manager.
In contrast, opposing witnesses submitted several documents including an obituary notice, National Identification Number card and ECOWAS passport to establish ownership claims. The tribunal eventually ruled that the documents presented were fraudulent and concluded that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed, leading to the dismissal of all claims.
Earlier in Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge before the FCT High Court on January 16, accusing Ozekhome of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during the UK proceedings.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case and subsequently applied to withdraw the charge to allow for further review and consolidation of investigations involving multiple agencies. Justice Peter Kekemeke thereafter struck out the case.
Following the court’s decision, Economic and Financial Crime Commission – (EFCC) operatives arrested Ozekhome.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has filed a fresh 12-count charge alleging conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and related offences under the Penal Code Law.
Prosecutors claim that between 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni allegedly operating under the name Tali Shani and the late Jeremiah Useni conspired to produce and use a false Nigerian international passport to support ownership claims over the London property.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants used the forged passport to facilitate claims to the UK property, while Ponfa Useni allegedly impersonated a fictitious individual and executed legal documents under that identity, with Ozekhome accused of aiding the process.
The matter is expected to proceed before the FCT High Court in Abuja as legal proceedings on the new charges commence.
