By Trendsetter Tribune 
ABUJA — An Abuja High Court has granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million to Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Ponfa Useni, the son of the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni. The duo was arraigned on Friday, February 27, 2026, regarding their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently acquire a property located in the United Kingdom.
The case stems from a long-running dispute over a North London house, with prosecutors accusing the defendants of using forged documents and impersonation to claim ownership of the asset.
Allegations of Fraud and Forgery
The Federal Government, represented by the Ministry of Justice, filed a fresh 12-count charge against Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni (also referred to in court documents as Tali Shani).
- The Scheme: Prosecutors allege that the defendants conspired to forge a Nigerian passport and other documents to claim ownership of the property at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London.
- Forged Identity: The charges claim Ponfa Useni falsely presented himself as “Tali Shani,” a fictitious person, to execute an irrevocable Power of Attorney to facilitate the property claim.
- Unlawful Control: Ozekhome is accused of abetting the impersonation and maintaining control over the property and approximately £18,000 in accrued rent, which investigators suspect was unlawfully obtained.
Bail Conditions and Judicial Proceedings
In granting the ₦10 million bail to each defendant, the court imposed strict conditions to ensure their presence during the trial.
| Defendant | Bail Amount | Key Conditions |
| Mike Ozekhome (SAN) | ₦10 Million | Deposit of travel documents; production of sureties. |
| Ponfa Useni | ₦10 Million | Deposit of travel documents; production of sureties. |
The court adjourned the matter to March 6, 2026, for the hearing of bail applications and the continuation of the trial.
Background: The London Tribunal Ruling
The Nigerian criminal charges follow a damning September 2025 judgment by a London property tribunal. The UK tribunal blocked Ozekhome from seizing the North London house, ruling that his claim was built on a “network of fraud, impersonation, and forged documents.”
The tribunal held that the property remained part of the late General Useni’s estate, contradicting Ozekhome’s claim that the house was gifted to him in 2021 as gratitude for legal services.