Ozekhome, Ex-FCT Minister's Son Arraigned on 12-Count Fraud Charge, Granted N10m Bail Each

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late ex-FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, were arraigned by the Federal Government on a 12-count fraud charge before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Chizoba Oji granted them bail of ₦10 million each, with conditions including depositing their international passports.

Key points

• The charges relate to alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, concerning a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
• The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications made by defence counsels Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and F. R. Onoja (SAN).
• Bail conditions require each defendant to provide one surety with verifiable property in the FCT.
• The case was adjourned to a later date for trial.

Why it matters

The arraignment involves a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the son of a former FCT Minister in a case involving alleged forgery related to a UK property, highlighting high-profile legal proceedings in Nigeria.