The prosecution claimed in the new charge that in 2020, in Abuja, the defendants allegedly conspired to falsify a Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 in the name “Tali Shani,” purportedly issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service, aiming to support their claim to the London property.
Counts 1 and 2 accuse the defendants of agreeing to forge the passport and produce the false document between May 30, 2020, and 2021, in violation of Sections 96 and 363 of the Penal Code Law 2009, punishable under Section 364.
Count 3 alleges a 2022 conspiracy to use the forged passport as genuine to claim the property, while Count 4 states they dishonestly used it between 2023 and 2025.
Counts 5 and 7 accuse Useni of false personation and cheating by impersonation.
The charge claims that on or around May 30, 2020, Useni falsely presented himself as “Tali Shani,” a fictitious individual, and executed a Power of Attorney in that name related to the property.
Chief Ozekhome is charged in Counts 6 and 8 with aiding the offences of personation and cheating by impersonation through jointly executing the Power of Attorney to facilitate the property claim.
Count 9 alleges that in 2022, Ozekhome, in Abuja, had control of the property at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London, which was suspected to have been unlawfully obtained by the late General Useni under a fictitious name.
Count 10 further claims Ozekhome controlled £18,000, allegedly rent from the London property, suspected to be unlawfully obtained.
The charges also include Counts 11 and 12, alleging that in 2023, the defendants conspired to forge a document titled “Re: Request for Authentication of Nigerian Passport No. A07535463 Belonging to Mr. Tali Shani,” dated May 4, 2023, claiming it was issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to support their property claim.
The offences are said to violate various provisions of the Penal Code Law 2009, including Sections 83, 84, 96, 179, 319A, 321, 322, 363, 364, and 366.
The charge was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and A.R. Tahir, Chief State Counsel, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
In an affidavit, a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice stated that the investigation has largely concluded and a prima facie case has been established against the defendants.
Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, are currently in EFCC custody.
A date for their arraignment is expected to be set by the FCT High Court.
