The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the criminal prosecution case against prominent lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who is facing charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
The development halted Ozekhome’s scheduled arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.
Bellnews reports that the senior lawyer faces a three-count charge filed by the ICPC, which includes allegations of forgery among other offences.
During the court proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), appeared on behalf of the AGF and notified the court of the decision to take over the case from the ICPC.
Oyedepo stated that the AGF was exercising powers granted under Section 174 of the Constitution.
The ICPC’s counsel, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, raised no objection to the AGF’s takeover of the prosecution.
Ozekhome’s defense team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation Kanu Agabi (SAN), and includes 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, also did not oppose the transfer of the case to the AGF.
Following an adjournment application by Oyedepo, which Agabi did not contest, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter until February 24 for arraignment.
Recall that the ICPC accused Ozekhome of presenting a falsified Nigerian passport and other documents to support his claim to a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The alleged offences reportedly occurred in August 2021 in Abuja’s Maitama district, within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
The three counts of the charge relate to giving false information, using forged documents, and attempting to mislead a public authority.