By John Umeh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a controversial London property dispute known as the “Tali Shani affair.”
His arrest reportedly occurred shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja struck out earlier forgery charges filed against him. However, authorities are said to be preparing fresh legal proceedings, with plans to arraign him in court soon.
Sources familiar with the case revealed that the detention is separate from a newly filed 12-count charge initiated by the federal government concerning the same disputed property.
Dispute centres on London property ownership
At the heart of the controversy is a residential property located at 79 Randall Avenue in London. The matter was previously brought before the United Kingdom’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), where a person identified as Tali Shani was listed as the claimant, while Ozekhome appeared as the respondent. The late retired military officer, Jeremiah Useni, was also linked to the matter.
Ozekhome had told the tribunal that the property was gifted to him in 2021 by an individual identified as “Mr Tali Shani.” A witness claiming to be Mr Shani reportedly supported his claim, stating that he held legal authority over the property and had transferred ownership. He also said he had appointed Useni as manager of the property.
However, lawyers representing another party, identified as “Ms Tali Shani,” challenged the claim and submitted documents including an identity card, passport, and obituary notice to support their position.
Following its review, the UK tribunal reportedly dismissed all claims, concluding that the documents presented were fraudulent and determining that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani could be verified as real individuals.
Fresh charges filed despite earlier case withdrawal
Prior to the EFCC arrest, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed forgery-related charges against Ozekhome at the FCT High Court in January. The charges accused him of presenting falsified documents, including a Nigerian passport, during the UK tribunal proceedings.
However, prosecutors representing the Attorney-General of the Federation later applied to withdraw the case, stating the need to reassess and harmonise findings from multiple investigative agencies. The court subsequently struck out the charges.
Despite that development, the federal government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge alleging conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and related offences tied to the disputed London property.
According to the new charge sheet, Ozekhome, alongside Ponfa Useni — also known as Tali Shani — and the late Jeremiah Useni, allegedly used forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport bearing the name Tali Shani, between 2020 and 2021 to support ownership claims.
Authorities further allege that Ponfa Useni impersonated a fictitious person and executed legal documents, including a Power of Attorney, while Ozekhome allegedly played a role in facilitating and endorsing the disputed transactions.
The case is expected to proceed at the FCT High Court in Abuja, where prosecutors will seek to prove the allegations as investigations continue.
