ICPC Files Criminal Charges Against Mike Ozekhome Over Alleged London Property Fraud
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of receiving property through corrupt means and using forged documents.
The charges, filed on January 16, 2026, stem from findings contained in a September 2025 judgment of a London property tribunal, which linked the senior lawyer to fraudulent and forged documents in a dispute over a residential property located at 79 Randall Avenue, North London.
Court documents show that Ozekhome is facing a three-count charge under Nigerian law.
According to the ICPC, the first count alleges that Ozekhome unlawfully received the London property in August 2021, purportedly as a gift from an individual identified as Shani Tali, an action the commission says constitutes an offence under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The second count accuses the lawyer of allegedly forging a Nigerian international passport in the name of Shani Tali, with the intent of supporting a claim of ownership of the disputed property. The charge was filed under the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
The third count alleges that Ozekhome knowingly used the forged passport as genuine, despite having reason to believe the document was false.
UK Tribunal Findings
In its judgment delivered on September 11, 2025, the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) blocked Ozekhome’s attempt to take ownership of the London property, ruling that the case was built on fraud, impersonation, and forged documents.
The tribunal held that the property was genuinely purchased in 1993 by the late Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and that the individual known as “Shani Tali” had no legal title to the property.
The tribunal further found that several Nigerian identity documents presented in support of the claim including a passport, National Identification Number (NIN), and Tax Identification Number (TIN) were fraudulently generated with the alleged involvement of corrupt public officials.
Evidence before the tribunal showed that the NIN associated with the alleged property owner was remotely created from abroad, bypassing mandatory biometric requirements, while the address used to support the documentation was fictitious.
The tribunal concluded that “Shani Tali” was not a real person, describing the case as a deliberate fabrication designed to unlawfully transfer ownership of the property.
ICPC Investigation Triggered by Petition
The ICPC investigation was initiated following a petition submitted by Olanrewaju Suraj, Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA). The petition accused Ozekhome, his son, and other collaborators of conspiring to procure fake identity documents in order to fraudulently claim the London property.
Following the petition, the ICPC invited individuals named in the UK judgment for questioning. Ozekhome reportedly appeared before the commission on January 12, 2026, where he gave a written statement.
In his defence, the senior lawyer acknowledged the UK tribunal’s ruling but maintained that the property was gifted to him in appreciation for legal services rendered. He also stated that the matter had previously been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the UK tribunal rejected this explanation, ruling that since the alleged donor had no legal title to the property, no valid transfer could have occurred.
Witnesses, Official Reactions
The ICPC has listed six witnesses, including its investigators and officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service, to testify during the trial.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has confirmed that his office is reviewing the case, describing the London judgment as raising serious concerns about the integrity of the Nigerian legal profession.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) have also been urged to cooperate with authorities to ensure accountability.
The Code of Conduct Bureau is reportedly conducting a parallel investigation, while a Nigerian court has issued a forfeiture order concerning the disputed London property.
The case is expected to come up for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a date to be fixed.
