The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, into custody over an alleged property fraud case in the United Kingdom, widely known as the “Tali Shani affair.”
Sources told The Cable that Ozekhome was arrested shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed a previous forgery charge filed against him. The senior lawyer could be arraigned soon, officials added.
Insiders clarified that the arrest is distinct from a separate 12-count charge reportedly filed by the Federal Government on Tuesday, which relates to the same property dispute.
The controversy centers on a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. Ozekhome and the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni were listed in proceedings before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) under case number REF/2023/0155. The suit was initiated by an individual named Tali Shani.
The dispute involved competing claims from parties identified as “Mr Tali Shani” and “Ms Tali Shani.” Ozekhome has maintained that the property was gifted to him in 2021 by “Mr Tali Shani,” while representatives of “Ms Shani” claimed she was the rightful owner.
During the tribunal hearing, a witness appearing as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, stating that he held powers of attorney over the property and lawfully transferred it to the senior advocate. The witness also said he acquired the property in 1993 and later appointed Useni as his property manager.
In contrast, the camp of “Ms Tali Shani” submitted documents including an obituary, a National Identification Number card, an ECOWAS passport, and telephone records to support her claim.
The tribunal, however, dismissed the documents as fraudulent and ruled that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Earlier, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome at the FCT High Court on January 16, accusing him of presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, in the UK tribunal.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) later took over the prosecution.
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At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, AGF’s counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested the withdrawal of the charge, explaining that additional time was needed to harmonise findings from multiple investigative agencies before formally consolidating the case.
Source: Cable
