The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Chief Mike Ozekhome, his son Osilama Ozekhome, one Efemuai Mudiaga Kingsley over alleged fraud, forgery , 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.
In its ruling, the UK court dismissed Ozekhome’s claim that a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London, had been transferred to him as part payment for legal services valued at ₦100 million, describing the claim as “a fabrication and a fraudulent attempt to take possession of property not lawfully his.”
The Tribunal revealed that fraudulent Nigerian identity documents, including a passport, ECOWAS travel certificate, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and National Identification Number (NIN), were procured to impersonate “Mr. and Ms. Tali Shani.”
Evidence presented before the court indicated that the fraudulent documents were obtained with the knowledge and involvement of Ozekhome and his legal associates.
According to findings, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) confirmed that the NIN used in the scheme was fraudulently created remotely from Monaco under an “amputee exception” — without biometric capture and using a non-compliant photograph.
Investigations by the Nigeria Police also revealed that the Jos address used in the identity documents was fictitious, while the 9mobile phone number linked to the documents was traced to a law firm.
HEDA alleged that the fraudulent scheme could not have been executed without the collusion of corrupt officials within the NIMC, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and court registries.
The group urged the ICPC to launch a comprehensive investigation, prosecute all individuals and officials involved, 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 maintained that taking decisive action would send a strong signal that Nigeria will not tolerate the manipulation of its identity systems or public institutions, regardless of an individual’s influence or social standing.