By Edith Nwapi
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagnemi, SAN has formally taken over the prosecution of Mike Ozekhome SAN,in the alleged fraud charges brought against him by ICPC.
Ozekhome was to be arraigned today by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arriagn, in an Abuja high court, for alleged forgery in UK property case
When the matter was called, Dr Osuebeni Akpomesingha, announced appearance for the prosecution.
Kanu Agabi, SAN a former AGF and Minister of Justice, and others announced their appearance for the defendant.
At this point, the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF),
Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, announced his appearance on behalf of the AGF.
He informed the court of the AGF‘s decision to take over the case from ICPC
He said that the decision was in pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
Oyedepo added, to collaborate with the ICPC to ensure that the prosecution meets the highest standard of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and compliance with due process of law.
The DPPF further told the court that the decision was also guided by public interest and to instil confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice.
He assured the court that the right of the defendant will be protected and that no party suffers any adverse.
Oyedepo added inter-agency corporation to fight corruption was also considered by the OAGF.
He therefore asked the court to take judicial notice of the take over of the trial by the AGF’s Office.
The AGF therefore sought adjournment to enable his office retrieve the case file from the ICPC to thoroughly review it and take the next line of action.
The ICPC lawyer , did not object to the takeover and promised that the commission will cooperate fully with the AGF office, being the agency that investigated the matter.
By consensus of lawyers, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned until Feb. 24 for arraignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in marked: FCT/HC/CR/010/26 dated and filed Jan. 16, Ozekhome as sole defendant.
In the three count charge obtained from ICPC, Count one alleges that Ozekhome, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout in London, within the jurisdiction of the court, directly received House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly given to him by one Mr Shani Tali.
The agency said that the lawyer knew the act constitutes a felony and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Act, 2000.
In count two, Ozekhome was alleged to have, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout, while being a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria did make a false document with a Nigeria passport: A07535463, bearing the name of Mr Shani.
ICPC alleged that the senior lawyer did this with plan to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as “79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 78X with intent to commit fraud.”
The offence according to the commission is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.
Count three accused Ozekhome of dishonestly used as genuine, a false “Nigeria passport A07535463, bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali to support claim of ownership of property known and described as ’79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX,’ when he had reason to believe that the said document was false.
ICPC said the offence is contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006. (NAN)