Dare Babalola
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and Jeremiah Useni’s son, Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, in the sum of N10 million each over an alleged property fraud in the United Kingdom.
The bail was granted shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge.
The charge was filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation over alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, allegedly used to lay claim to a property in London said to have been unlawfully procured by the late Jeremiah Useni.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome, and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
In a brief ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10m each with one surety each, who must own property within the FCT. She also ordered them to deposit their international passports with the court.
The judge held that since the proceedings were conducted on a Friday, the defendants may return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately, but must report back to court on Monday to do so, failing which they would be remanded in prison.
Ozekhome and Useni were arraigned on an amended 12-count charge involving alleged conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and unlawful control of a UK property. They both pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
The prosecution informed the court of an amended charge dated February 25, 2026, which he said replaced the initial charge.
He urged the court to accept the amended charge along with proof of evidence and supporting documents spanning pages 1 to 501.
Justice Orji granted the request, admitting the amended charge and accompanying evidence.
Oyedepo further requested that the court allow accelerated hearing of the case in the interest of society, the defence, and the legal profession, and also sought a short adjournment date to enable the defendants to prepare for trial.
“We urge your Lordship to impose conditions that will ensure their appearances,” he said.
In response, Oyetibo thanked the prosecution for not opposing the bail application and expressed his readiness for an accelerated hearing.
He informed the court that his client had consistently made himself available to anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), noting that Ozekhome’s international passport was already in the custody of the EFCC.
Oyetibo also highlighted that Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with an established law firm in Abuja and added that he is well known to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
“He has nowhere to run. The EFCC and ICPC granted him bail on self-recognition, and he will not leave Nigeria,” Oyetibo submitted, urging the court to admit his client to bail on self-recognition.
The court directed that the defendants be released to go home but must perfect their bail conditions on or before Monday, March 2, 2026. The trial was adjourned to March 13, April 15, and April 16, 2026.
