The Attorney General of the Federation has withdrawn the three-count forgery charge against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome SAN
AGF Pulls Plug on Forgery Case Against Mike Ozekhome – Court Strikes Out Charges
In a significant development, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) has withdrawn the criminal forgery charge against prominent senior advocate Mike Ozekhome (SAN), prompting the FCT High Court in Maitama to strike out the case entirely.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed Justice Peter Kekemeke on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, that the AGF intends to conduct a comprehensive review of the matter and determine the most appropriate course forward.
Oyedepo, acting on instructions from AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), applied to withdraw the three-count charge—originally filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC)—pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The defence team, led by Paul Erokoro (SAN), raised no objection to the application.
Justice Kekemeke granted the withdrawal and struck out the charge accordingly.
The case stems from allegations of forgery related to a London property dispute involving the late General Jeremiah Useni. The ICPC had filed the three-count charge on January 16, 2026.
On January 29, Oyedepo had announced the AGF’s takeover of the prosecution from the ICPC under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, citing the need for interagency collaboration in the anti-corruption fight.
He emphasized that the AGF’s intervention aimed to uphold the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence, and due process.
“The AGF was guided by public interest to instill confidence, fairness, and competence in the criminal justice system,” Oyedepo told the court earlier.
He further assured that the defendant’s rights would be protected, with no injustice to any party.
The AGF had requested an adjournment to retrieve and review the case file from the ICPC before deciding on next steps.
With the withdrawal now granted and the charge struck out, the matter returns to the AGF’s office for a holistic evaluation.
This move underscores the federal government’s commitment to rigorous oversight in high-profile corruption prosecutions, even as it leaves the door open for potential future action based on the review. Read More
