The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly taken Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, into custody and is preparing to file fresh charges against him over a long-running property dispute in London, United Kingdom.
The move follows the withdrawal of an earlier three-count charge of fraud and forgery by the federal government in connection with the same matter.
It was earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama fixed Ozekhome’s arraignment over allegations that he submitted forged documents, including a Nigerian passport, in a bid to assert ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The dispute centres on a property said to be linked to the estate of the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and senior military officer.
Initial charges were filed on January 16 by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing Ozekhome of receiving the London property as a gift from one “Mr. Tali Shani” in August 2021 and allegedly forging documents to validate the transfer. Prosecutors maintained that the alleged acts violated relevant provisions of Nigeria’s Corrupt Practices and Penal Codes.
Subsequently, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, assumed control of the prosecution on January 26. Counsel to the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo, had assured the court that the matter would be handled with due diligence and in strict compliance with the law.
However, during proceedings on Tuesday, Oyedepo applied to withdraw the charges, explaining that the AGF’s office intended to review and harmonise issues involving multiple investigative agencies to reinforce the case. The presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, thereafter struck out the charges.
Despite the withdrawal, developments have taken a new turn, with the EFCC reportedly initiating fresh legal steps. A senior intelligence source confirmed that Ozekhome remains in detention as investigations continue.
The dispute over the London property reportedly dates back to 1993, when it was acquired under the name “Tali Shani.” Controversy later emerged over the true ownership of the property. In September 2025, the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) reportedly held that individuals identified as “Mr.” and “Ms. Tali Shani” were impostors, ruling that the beneficial owner of the property was the late General Useni, who allegedly used the alias in managing offshore interests.
During proceedings before the tribunal, witnesses presented on behalf of Ozekhome, including an individual identified as “Mr. Tali Shani,” claimed that ownership had been transferred through a Power of Attorney.
The tribunal, however, reportedly found that several documents tendered in support of the claim – including passports, burial notices and witness statements – were forged or fabricated
