Court Grants Mike Ozekhome N10m Bail Over Forgery Allegation

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted bail of ₦10 million each to Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-accused after they were formally charged in court.

The two men were arraigned before Justice Chizoba Orji on a 12-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The charges include claims that they forged documents such as an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney in order to claim ownership of a property in London said to have been unlawfully obtained by the late General Jeremiah Useni.

During the hearing, counsel to the Attorney General, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not object when Ozekhome’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Useni’s lawyer, F. R. Onoja (SAN), asked the court to grant their clients bail.

In her ruling, Justice Orji approved bail of ₦10 million for each defendant.

She directed that each must provide one surety who owns property within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also ordered both men to submit their international passports to the court.

Because the proceedings were held on a Friday, the judge said the defendants may return home if they are unable to meet the bail conditions immediately.

However, she instructed them to fulfil the requirements by Monday or risk being remanded in prison.

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