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Renowned legal giant,constitutional lawyer,celebrated human rights activist and nation builder, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, has secured bail from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja, alongside his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni,aka Mr Tali Shani.
The court granted them bail in the sum of N10m each and one surety who must own landed property in the FCT,with their international passports deposited with the Registrar of the court. This was shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count charge filed by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation who led other senior lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The charges relate to alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, allegedly used to lay claim to a property in London,charges which they staunchly denied.
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN ( the first defendant ),was represented by Chief Tayo Oyetibo (SAN),who appeared with many other Senior Advocates of Nigeria,including Chief Paul Erokoro, Chief Abeni Mohammed, Sylva Ogwemoh, Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, A.A.Malik,Chief Clement Onwuenwunor, Chief C.A.C.Oshomegie, and many other members of the outer Bar including Rex Erameh, Anthony Anene,A.B Ige Asemudara, Iribor Sanami,Jeff Kadiri, Godwin Iyinbor, Akintayo Balogun, Fatima Audu, Eustace Nwaozwu,Queen Ubokutom Umana, Oluchi Vivian Uche and Oshomha Mike- Ozekhome. Others included Jemilat Kassim Ali,Ighodalo Aigbobo,Sheriff Adele,Dino Melaye, Ibimina Sokari, C.N.Umeh and others.
The second defendant,Ponfa Useni, aka Mr Tali Shani, was represented by F.R. Onoja (SAN) who led other lawyers.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), while not opposing their bail applications,however, urged the court to impose such conditions as would ensure attendance of court by the defendants,while Chief Tayo Oyetibo, SAN,urged the court to grant Chief Ozekhome bail in self recognizance or in very liberal terms as he has been on administrative bail by the EFCC and ICPC without breaching the bail conditions.
The court thereafter set the next hearing for 13th March, and 15th and 16th April, 2026. Prof. Mike Ozekhome,SAN and his co-defendant have met the bail conditions to secure their release and have since gone home.
Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN is a respected member of the Bar,a Life Bencher and a prominent voice on national issues bordering on democracy, good governance,rule of law and human rights. The case has attracted widespread attention, with many awaiting further developments and believing that at the end of the day, history will vindicate the just.
