Case delayed as Justice Minister seeks time to review high-profile charges.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has assumed control of the prosecution of senior lawyer Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, over an alleged fraudulent claim to a London property, leading to a postponement of his arraignment.
At a hearing on Monday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Office of the AGF formally requested and received the court’s consent to take over the case from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appearing for the AGF, informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the decision was made pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution. He stated the aim was to collaborate with the ICPC to ensure a prosecution that “meets the highest standard of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and compliance with due process.”
Oyedepo emphasized the move was guided by “public interest” and the desire to instill “confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice” system, assuring the court that the defendant’s rights would be protected.
The AGF subsequently requested an adjournment to allow his office to retrieve and thoroughly review the case file from the ICPC “to take a well-informed decision.”
The ICPC, represented by Dr. Osuebeni Akpos, raised no objection to the takeover and pledged full cooperation. Consequently, Justice Kekemeke adjourned the case to February 24, 2026, for the arraignment.
Ozekhome, represented in court by a formidable legal team led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, and 15 other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, faces a three-count charge filed by the ICPC on January 16.
He is accused of giving false information and using forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to deceive a public authority. The charges allege that in August 2021, he presented these documents to support a claim of ownership of a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.
The high-profile takeover underscores the case’s sensitivity and signals a coordinated inter-agency approach to the high-stakes legal battle.
