Mike Ozekhome Granted N10 Million Bail Over Alleged Property Fraud

A High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday granted N10 million bail each to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF).

The defendants pleaded not guilty to allegations including forgery of documents, such as an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, which they were accused of using to claim ownership of a London property allegedly linked to the late General Jeremiah Useni.

During the hearing, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) did not oppose the bail applications filed by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.

Justice Chizoba Oji granted bail of N10 million for each defendant, with the condition that each provide a surety owning property in the FCT. The court also ordered both defendants to deposit their international passports.

The judge added that, since the hearing fell on a Friday, the defendants could return home if they could not immediately meet the bail conditions, but they must comply by Monday, failing which they would be remanded in prison.