Court Grants Ozekhome ₦10 Million Bail Over Forgery Charges

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, granted bail of ₦10 million to senior advocate Mike Ozekhome and his co-defendant Ponfa Useni. They were recently arraigned on 12 counts of criminal charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which included allegations of forgery of documents such as an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not oppose the bail application, which was moved by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, on behalf of Ozekhome and Useni.

Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail on the condition that they provide sureties with properties within the Federal Capital Territory. The judge ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and directed them to report back on Monday to fulfill the bail conditions.

If they fail to meet these conditions, they will be remanded in prison.