Federal Court Grants Passport Release for Lawyer’s Medical Trip
The Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized senior attorney Mike Ozekhome to temporarily retrieve his international passport. This decision allows him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment while facing trial on charges of document falsification concerning a disputed property in London.
Judicial Ruling on Passport Release
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Chizoma Oji ordered that Ozekhome’s passport be issued to him for travel between July 9 and August 20, requiring its return to the court by August 26. The court noted, “Having considered the motion and finding no objection, I hereby grant the first defendant’s request for temporary release of his international passport to enable him to embark on his medical trip.”
Prosecution’s Response and Trial Continuation
The court’s decision follows Ozekhome’s request for the temporary release of his travel documents. Prosecution attorney CL Assonta did not oppose this request, but asked the court to mandate the defendant to return his passport within three working days of his return to Nigeria. Following this briefing, Judge Oji adjourned the case until September 28 for the continuation of the trial.
Compliance with Bail Conditions
During previous hearings, the court was informed that Ozekhome and his co-defendants had not deposited their international passports as required under the bail conditions established in February. Consequently, the judge ordered that the passports be presented in court on Thursday.
New Charges Filed by the Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office, along with the Minister of Justice, introduced 12 new charges against Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponpha Useni, in February. These charges followed the withdrawal of an earlier accusation related to the forgery of documents for claiming ownership of a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, UK.
Allegations of Identity Fraud and Document Forgery
The indictment outlines allegations that Ozekhome, Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the deceased General Jeremiah Useni conspired to fabricate fraudulent Nigerian international passports, purportedly issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service, between 2020 and 2025. They are accused of using this false identity to execute a power of attorney dated May 30, 2020, aimed at asserting ownership of the contested property.
Suspension of Ozekhome from Senior Advocate Position
In a related development, Ozekhome has faced sanctions from the Lawyers Privileges Commission (LPPC), which has suspended him from his title as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the conclusion of ongoing disciplinary proceedings. In a statement released on June 24, LPPC Secretary Kabir Akanbi explained that this measure was taken to uphold the integrity of the SAN rank during the investigation into Ozekhome’s involvement in the case.
Commitment to Ethical Standards in the Legal Profession
The LPPC emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics and discipline within the legal community. The statement concluded that Ozekhome is to avoid any public identification with the SAN title until the disciplinary processes are resolved, reinforcing the need for professionalism in Nigeria’s legal landscape.
