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.