- The FCT High Court struck out three-count forgery charges against Mike Ozekhome after the Attorney General of the Federation opted to review and take over the prosecution
- The charges, initially filed by the ICPC, related to alleged fraud, forgery, and use of false documents concerning a London property
- The AGF’s decision aimed to ensure public interest, inter-agency cooperation, and fairness in the criminal justice process, with the defence team not opposing the application
The Mike Ozekhome has had the criminal charges filed against him over alleged forgery withdrawn by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The decision was announced on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the Attorney General of the Federation had opted to take a holistic review of the case to determine the most appropriate course of action. Following the application, which was unopposed by Ozekhome’s defence team led by Paul Erokoro, the court struck out the three-count charge.
Ozekhome had been arraigned on allegations of forgery and related offences, initially instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The three-count charge accused him of alleged fraud, forgery, and use of false documents in connection with a disputed property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. Prosecutors alleged that Ozekhome knowingly received the property, claimed it was gifted to him, and then used a forged Nigerian passport to support the claim, contravening provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the FCT Penal Code.
On 29 January 2026, Oyedepo notified the court that the Attorney General had decided to take over the prosecution from the ICPC pursuant to Section 174 of the Constitution, which empowers the AGF to institute, take over, or discontinue criminal proceedings. The move, Oyedepo explained, was made in collaboration with the ICPC to ensure that the prosecution meets high standards of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence, and compliance with due process.
Oyedepo further emphasised that the decision was guided by public interest considerations and aimed to instil confidence, fairness, and competence in the criminal justice system. He also highlighted that inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption informed the takeover. The DPPF assured the court that Ozekhome’s rights would be protected and that no party would suffer injustice as the office reviewed the matter.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently granted the application, took judicial notice of the AGF’s formal takeover, and struck out the charge against the senior lawyer.