ICPC Files Evidence, Lists Witnesses as Trial of Ozekhome Over Alleged London Property Fraud Nears
The Federal Government, through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has formally filed its proof of evidence, list of exhibits and roster of witnesses ahead of the criminal trial of senior lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The case, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26, is being prosecuted on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation by the ICPC High Profile Prosecution Department, headed by Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.
The charges stem from a petition linked to a judgment delivered by the United Kingdom First Tier Tribunal, Property Chamber, Land Registration, in Case No. REF/2023/0155, which centred on the disputed ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
Following the tribunal’s ruling of September 11, 2025, the ICPC commenced a discreet investigation into allegations surrounding the ownership of the property and documents allegedly relied upon by Ozekhome to assert a claim.
ICPC investigators, Mr Wakili Joshua Musa and Mr Tosin Olayiwola, are listed as the lead witnesses. They are expected to give detailed accounts of the investigation process during the trial.
According to the proof of evidence filed on January 16, 2026, the investigators will testify that the commission received a petition anchored on the UK tribunal judgment, after which the case was assigned to their team by the ICPC Chairman through their unit head. They will further explain that a formal investigation plan was developed and approved by the Chairman.
The witnesses are expected to inform the court that letters were dispatched to banks, government agencies and private institutions to obtain relevant records. They will also testify that the Nigerian Immigration Service was contacted to verify the authenticity of a Nigerian passport bearing the name “Shani Tali”, which the prosecution alleges was used to support Ozekhome’s claim to the London property.
The investigators will also outline how a certified true copy of the UK tribunal judgment was obtained, how extra judicial statements were recorded from Ozekhome and other persons connected to the matter, and how various documents were collated and tendered as exhibits. They are also expected to explain the roles played by other members of the investigation team.
A representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service is listed as a witness and is expected to testify on their role, rank and authority to appear in court, the verification process carried out on the “Shani Tali” passport forwarded by the ICPC, the outcome of that verification and any documents generated from the exercise.
The prosecution’s list of exhibits includes the UK tribunal judgment dated September 11, 2025, the extra judicial statement of Chief Mike Ozekhome dated January 12, 2026, documents relating to interim forfeiture proceedings over the London property before the Federal High Court in Nigeria, a letter dated December 18, 2025, the data page of the “Shani Tali” passport, and other documents that may be obtained before or during trial.
In all, the ICPC listed six categories of witnesses, including two investigators, two additional ICPC officials, a representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service and other persons who may be subpoenaed at a later stage.
The filing also referenced the UK tribunal proceedings, which were conducted on June 11 to 12, 2024, July 29 to 30, 2025 and September 2 to 3, 2025 via cloud video platform. In the UK case, Tali Shani appeared as applicant while Ozekhome was listed as respondent, initially represented by counsel before later appearing in person.
Chief Ozekhome, SAN, 68, is facing three criminal counts bordering on alleged receipt of property abroad, forgery and fraudulent use of false documents. Prosecutors allege that he received the London property in August 2021, forged a Nigerian passport in the name of Shani Tali to support his ownership claim, and knowingly used the allegedly falsified document as genuine.
The High Court is yet to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
The charges follow a dramatic ruling by the UK First Tier Tribunal, which held that the London property belonged to the estate of the late General Jeremiah Timbut Useni. The tribunal dismissed Ozekhome’s claims and found that the identities presented as “Tali Shani” were fabricated.
The tribunal ruled that General Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator and senior military officer, was the true purchaser of the property in 1993, having registered it under a false identity to conceal ownership.
In October 2025, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, publicly expressed concern over growing complaints against senior members of the Nigerian Bar. He cited the UK judgment involving Ozekhome and the late General Useni as a basis for probing alleged professional misconduct and pledged collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Senior Advocates to address the issue.
