The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million each to prominent legal practitioner Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of document forgery. Prosecutors claim the duo falsified key documents—among them an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney—in an alleged attempt to assert ownership over a London property reportedly linked to the late General Jeremiah Useni.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, counsel to the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications submitted by Ozekhome’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and F. R. Onoja (SAN), who represented Useni.
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted each defendant bail set at ₦10 million, with one surety apiece.
The sureties must own property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports as part of the bail conditions.
Justice Oji further directed that, given the proceedings occurred on a Friday, the defendants may return home if unable to immediately meet the bail terms. However, they must fulfill the conditions by Monday or risk remand in custody.
The case is expected to continue as legal proceedings unfold.
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