The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has officially taken over the criminal case involving Mike Ozekhome (SAN), a senior lawyer, from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
This move has led to a delay in Ozekhome’s arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he was set to face three counts of forgery, among other allegations. The charges stem from a dispute over a UK property.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that he was representing the AGF and had formally assumed control of the case, citing his powers under Section 174 of the Constitution. The ICPC’s counsel, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, did not object to the takeover.
Furthermore, Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former AGF and the lead defense counsel, who was accompanied by a team of 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), also raised no objections to the AGF’s involvement in the case.
The court session ended with a decision to adjourn the case until February 24, 2026, for Ozekhome’s formal arraignment.
Property Dispute
In another related matter, the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on January 26 on the final forfeiture of a London property tied to the late Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This property is connected to an ongoing investigation involving the late minister.
