FCT High Court Grants ₦10m Bail to Mike Ozekhome, Co‑Defendant in Forgery Case
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, on Friday admitted Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and his co‑defendant, Ponfa Useni, to bail in the sum of ₦10 million each, following their arraignment on a 12‑count criminal charge.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, alleges forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, purportedly used to lay claim to a London property said to have been unlawfully acquired by the late Jeremiah Useni. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million each, with one surety apiece who must own property within the Federal Capital Territory. The court further directed that the defendants deposit their international passports.
Justice Oji noted that since the proceedings were conducted on a Friday, the defendants may return home pending perfection of their bail conditions, but must report back to court on Monday to complete the process. Failure to do so, she held, would result in their remand in prison custody.
