•Mike Ozekhome, SAN
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has taken over the prosecution of the criminal case brought against Mike Ozekhome (SAN) by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
The development however, stalled Ozekhome’s planned arraignment today before a HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the three-count charge filed against him by the ICPC and in which he is accused of among others, forgery, reports The Nation.
When the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) said he was representing the AGF and informed the court of the AGF’s decision to take over the case from the ICPC.
Oyedepo said the AGF was acting under his powers as provided in Section 174 of the Constitution.
ICPC’s lawyer, Osuebeni Akpomisingha (who filed the charge) did not object to the take over of the case by the AGF.
Former AGF, Kanu Agabi (SAN) who led a team of lawyers (which comprised 15 SANs) for the defence, also did not object the take over of the case by Fagbemi.
Upon an application for adjournment by Oyedepo, which was not opposed by Agabi, Jusice
Peter Kekemeke adjourned till February 24 for arraignment.
A count in the charge reads: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ’68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a legal practitioner and senior advocate of Nigeria did make a false document, to wit: Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali with intent to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX with intent to commit fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 363 and punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.
… developing story
