Ozekhome, Co-Defendant Secure N10m Bail Over Alleged Forgery Charges

Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has been granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, alongside his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani.
The court admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each, with one surety apiece who must own landed property within the FCT. The court also ordered the deposit of their international passports with the Registrar.
The ruling followed their arraignment on a 12-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and led in court by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, alongside other senior lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The charges border on alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, reportedly used to lay claim to a property in London. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Ozekhome, the first defendant, was represented by Chief Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, who appeared with several other Senior Advocates of Nigeria and members of the Bar. The second defendant was represented by F.R. Onoja, SAN, and his legal team.
While the prosecution did not oppose the bail applications, it urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the defendants’ attendance at trial. Counsel to Ozekhome, however, prayed the court to grant bail on liberal terms, noting that his client had previously been on administrative bail by anti-graft agencies without violating any conditions.
The court adjourned the matter to March 13 and April 15 and 16, 2026, for further hearing.
Both defendants have since fulfilled their bail conditions and regained their freedom.
The case has generated significant public interest, with observers closely monitoring subsequent proceedings.