General News
EFCC Detains Ozekhome Over Alleged ‘Tali Shani’ UK Property Dispute
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome over his alleged involvement in a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom popularly known as the “Tali Shani” affair.
Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was reportedly taken into custody shortly after a Federal Capital Territory High Court struck out an earlier forgery charge filed against him. He is expected to be arraigned before the court on fresh charges.
Disputed London Property
At the centre of the controversy is a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The dispute was instituted before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
The ownership claim was contested between a person identified as “Ms Tali Shani” and Ozekhome. The senior lawyer maintained that he received the property as a gift in 2021 from “Mr Tali Shani.” However, representatives of “Ms Shani” insisted she was the legitimate owner.
During proceedings, a witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming he held power of attorney over the property and had transferred it accordingly. He asserted that he had owned the property since 1993 and later appointed the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni as his property manager.
In contrast, documents presented by witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani,” including an obituary notice, national identity card and ECOWAS passport, were tendered to validate her claim. The tribunal reportedly found the documents relied upon to be false and dismissed the claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Fresh Charges Filed
In a related development, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier filed a three-count charge before the FCT High Court, accusing Ozekhome of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during the UK proceedings.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case and applied to withdraw the charge to allow for a review and consolidation of investigations involving multiple agencies. The court subsequently struck out the charge.
However, the Federal Government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge against Ozekhome before the FCT High Court in Abuja. The charges include allegations of conspiracy, forgery, personation, abetment and cheating by personation under the Penal Code Law 2009.
According to the charge sheet, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni are alleged to have, between 2020 and 2021, forged a Nigerian international passport purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service for use in support of a property claim in the United Kingdom.
The matter is expected to proceed before the FCT High Court in Abuja.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to education, describing the sector as a central pillar of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Olushola Oladoja when the NANS Leadership paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Staff, in the State House Abuja. Friday February 27, 2026
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance on Friday when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja.
Gbajabiamila urged student leaders nationwide to reciprocate government investments in education by intensifying advocacy against social vices on campuses, particularly drug abuse, cultism and prostitution. He stressed that universities and colleges are not only centres of academic learning but also institutions for character development.
According to him, President Tinubu considers the fight against social vices a national priority, noting that a special committee has been set up to address rising concerns in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“Education is one of the pillars of this administration. We believe in the youths — in your energy and capacity — and we do not pay lip service to issues that affect you,” Gbajabiamila said. “I want to charge you to make moral reorientation part of your engagement with fellow students.”
The Chief of Staff commended the NANS leadership for its proactive and constructive engagement with government and encouraged the association to promote moral values as an unwritten code of campus culture.
He also disclosed that sustained dialogue between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resulted in a lasting agreement, helping to maintain stability in the university system. He noted that Nigeria is approaching three years without a nationwide university strike.
Gbajabiamila recalled his experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he participated in negotiations with ASUU during periods of frequent industrial actions that prolonged students’ academic programmes.
Highlighting government interventions, he pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying the student loan scheme is enabling indigent students to remain in school.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, reiterated the Presidency’s commitment to sustained dialogue with students and to restoring predictable academic calendars.
Speaking on behalf of the students, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for Nigerian students. He said improved engagement with ASUU and the implementation of the student loan scheme have helped stabilise tertiary education, with many four-year programmes now running their full course without disruption.
Oladoja disclosed that over 900,000 students have benefited from the loan scheme. He also cited recent security interventions, including the approval of perimeter fencing for vulnerable institutions following reports of hostel incursions.
While pledging continued support for government policies, the NANS president said the association would sustain its conflict-resolution framework. He also requested an audience with the President, sought palliatives for students during the fasting seasons, and appealed for increased job opportunities for young graduates.
Oladoja further informed the Presidency of plans to hold a major student gathering in Abuja to publicly endorse the President’s policies, pledging that NANS would continue to promote peace and constructive dialogue across campuses.
Tension gripped commuters along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara State on Friday following reports that suspected armed bandits had planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the busy federal road.
Eyewitnesses claimed the suspected device was discovered in the early hours of Friday at Ungwar Mai Chida village, the same general area where an IED explosion earlier in the week reportedly damaged a trailer.
The reports triggered panic among motorists, many of whom were said to have halted their journeys and sought safer routes amid fears of a possible attack. Some commuters were left stranded for hours as uncertainty spread along the highway.
Residents in the area said security operatives later mobilized to the scene, secured the location, and cleared the road to allow traffic to resume.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told Arise News via telephone that no such incident occurred on the highway. According to him, the police merely carried out proactive security measures to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and rely on verified information, assuring road users of continued security surveillance along the route.
Manchester City will rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after Fridays draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this will be their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 Champions League season. Manchester City edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 during Decembers group stage clash, setting the stage for another heavyweight showdown many observers have likened to a final.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will confront Chelsea in a repeat of last seasons heated Club World Cup final won by the English side. Both teams expressed confidence ahead of the tie. Premier League leaders Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen after topping the league phase with eight straight victories to avoid Europes biggest heavyweights.
Bayern Munich, runners-up in the group stage, take on Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund via a stoppage-time penalty in the playoffs. Elsewhere, Newcastle United meet Barcelona again, while Liverpool battle Galatasaray. Struggling Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid as Norways giant-killers Bodo/Glimt square off against Sporting Lisbon.
The last-16 fixtures are as follows: Real Madrid v Manchester City; Bodo/Glimt v Sporting; Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea; Newcastle United v Barcelona; Galatasaray v Liverpool; Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur; Atalanta v Bayern Munich; and Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that quarter-final and semi-final pairings were also confirmed, with potential blockbuster clashes awaiting as Europes elite chase Champions League glory.