The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate senior lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), his son Osilama Ozekhome, one Efemuai Mudiaga Kingsley, and their associates over alleged fraud, forgery of Nigeria identity documents, and an unlawful attempt to acquire property in London.
The petition, signed by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, followed a September 11, 2025 judgment of the United Kingdom’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in the case of Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome. The court dismissed Ozekhome’s claim that the property at 79 Randall Avenue, London, had been transferred to him as part payment for legal services valued at ₦100 million, describing it as a fabrication and a fraudulent attempt to take possession of property not lawfully his.
The Tribunal also revealed that fraudulent identity documents including a Nigerian passport, ECOWAS Travel document, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and National Identification Number (NIN) were procured to impersonate “Mr. and Ms. Tali Shani.” Evidence showed that these documents were obtained with the knowledge and involvement of Ozekhome and his legal associates.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) confirmed that the NIN was fraudulently created remotely from Monaco under an “amputee exception,” without biometric capture and using a non-compliant photograph. The Nigeria Police also found that the Jos address used in the scheme was fictitious, while the associated 9mobile phone account was traced to solicitors.
The civil society group warned that such fraud could not have been carried out without the collusion of corrupt officials within the NIMC, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and court registrars. It therefore urged the ICPC to investigate and prosecute all implicated actors, collaborate with UK authorities to recover the property, and refer the implicated lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for possible disbarment.
“This case is alarming not just because of the unlawful property grab, but because it shows how easily Nigeria’s sensitive identity systems could be manipulated by elites and compromised public officials. it is a direct assault on our institutions and our reputation. The ICPC must act swiftly and decisively to restore public confidence.” Suraju said.
HEDA stressed that decisive action would send a strong signal that Nigeria will not tolerate the manipulation of its identity systems and public institutions by any individual, regardless of their influence or social standing.
