NBA Anti-Corruption Committee Pledges Support for AGF Probe into Ozekhome’s UK Property Case
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Anti-Corruption Committee has announced its readiness to cooperate fully with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in an investigation targeting a highly controversial property dispute in the United Kingdom involving senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and other Nigerians.
The committee’s pledge comes days after the AGF announced the launch of a probe, citing the case’s significant negative implications for the integrity of the Nigerian legal profession.
London Judge Called Defence “Contrived Story”
The controversy centers on a UK First-Tier Tribunal ruling on September 11, where Judge Ewan Paton blocked Mr. Ozekhome from taking ownership of a house in North London. The judge ruled that Mr. Ozekhome’s defense, which was supported by his son, was a “contrived story… invented to provide a plausible reason” for a 2021 property transfer.
Read Also:
The tribunal case, which involved a property at 79 Randall Avenue, was described by Judge Paton as built on a “network of fraud, impersonation, and forged documents.” The judge also concluded that the original acquisition of the property was made by the late Lt. General Jeremiah Useni through questionable means.
Prosecution and Restitution
In a statement dated October 2, the NBA Anti-Corruption Committee welcomed the AGF’s initiative, noting that the case raised critical issues requiring scrutiny, including the actions of legal practitioners and the mention of Nigeria’s Supreme Court in the UK proceedings.
“Investigations into the processes that resulted in the alleged procurement of fake NIN, fraudulent presentation of an MTN number, fake ECOWAS passport, etc., all aimed at the failed creation of fake male and female persons claiming to be Tali Shani, should lead to the criminal prosecution of civil servants who connived with lawyers to tarnish the name of Nigeria,” the committee’s statement read.
The committee also urged the AGF to intervene to enter Nigeria’s interest in the property for possible restitution.
The NBA anti-graft body expressed hope that the matter would not be “swept under the rug,” noting that the credibility of the legal sector is at stake. It further recommended that after investigations, relevant legal practitioners be promptly referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
The committee proposed including two of its members, George Ekpungu and Bayo Akinlade, in the AGF’s investigation team to ensure thoroughness.
By PRNigeria
