• Court adjourns arraignment to Feb. 24
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday, adjourned the arraignment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, to February 24, 2026, following the takeover of the prosecution by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, against the senior advocate.

The charges allege that in August 2021, Ozekhome received a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, from one Mr Shani Tali, knowing that the transaction constituted a felony, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Ozekhome is accused of knowingly presenting forged documents, including Nigeria’s international passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.

Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of the high-profile prosecution department of ICPC, appeared for the commission. While Chief Ozekhome is represented by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

At the resumed proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, announced his appearance on behalf of the AGF, informing the court that the Attorney-General had formally requested to take over the case from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Oyedepo told the court that the AGF’s intervention was in exercise of his constitutional powers and in line with existing laws. He added that the AGF considered it his responsibility to ensure that the prosecution was conducted lawfully, professionally, and with utmost respect for all parties involved, stressing that the move was also aimed at strengthening collaboration among law enforcement and prosecuting agencies.

The DPP consequently sought the court’s permission to adjourn the case to enable the Ministry of Justice to properly review the case files. Responding, the counsel for the ICPC, Akponimisingha, told the court that the anti-graft agency had no objection to the takeover.

After listening to all parties, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, granted the application and adjourned the matter to February 24, 2026, for arraignment.