ABUJA, Nigeria – Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, were granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on Friday, February 27, 2026. Each defendant posted ₦10 million (about $12,500) and provided one surety who owns property within the FCT.
The defendants are facing a 12-count criminal charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, connected to a property in London, United Kingdom, claimed to have been unlawfully acquired by the late Jeremiah Useni.
Both Ozekhome and Useni pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications brought by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
Justice Chizoba Oji instructed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court. As the hearing took place on a Friday, the judge allowed them to return home if unable to immediately complete the bail conditions. They are required to report back to court on Monday, March 2, 2026, to finalize the process, failing which they would be remanded in custody.
The case remains ongoing as the court prepares to continue hearing the matter in the coming weeks.