The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of the criminal case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against renowned lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
The takeover stalled Ozekhome’s planned arraignment on Monday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over a three-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and corruption-related offences.
When the matter was called, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that he was representing the AGF and formally notified it of the decision to assume control of the case from the ICPC.
Oyedepo said the AGF acted pursuant to the powers conferred on him under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, describing the move as part of a collaborative effort with the ICPC.
According to him, the decision was taken to ensure that the prosecution meets the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence, and strict compliance with due process.
He added that the AGF was guided by public interest, the need to instil confidence in the criminal justice system, and the importance of fairness and competence in high-profile prosecutions.
Oyedepo also said the decision considered the need for inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption, while assuring the court that the rights of the defendant would be fully protected and that no party would suffer injustice.
He subsequently asked the court to take judicial notice of the formal takeover and sought an adjournment to enable the AGF’s office retrieve the case file from the ICPC, review it, and determine the next steps.
Counsel to the ICPC, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, who filed the original charge, did not oppose the takeover and assured the court of the commission’s full cooperation with the AGF’s office.
Similarly, former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led a defence team comprising 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, raised no objection to the development.
Following the unopposed application for adjournment, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter to February 24 for arraignment.
The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, accuses Ozekhome of allegedly receiving a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, knowing it was linked to a felony, as well as allegedly forging and using a false Nigerian passport in the name of Mr. Shani Tali to support ownership claims over the property.
Ozekhome has yet to take his plea as proceedings await his formal arraignment on the adjourned date.