The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has withdrawn the criminal charge filed against senior advocate, Mike Ozekhome, over alleged forgery.
The withdrawal was announced on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the Attorney General of the Federation had opted to take a comprehensive review of the case to determine the most appropriate course of action.
The application, which was not opposed by the defence team led by Paul Erokoro (SAN), was subsequently granted by the court, leading to the striking out of the three-count charge against Ozekhome.
Ozekhome was arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery and other related offences in a case initially instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The ICPC filed a three-count criminal charge against Ozekhome at the FCT High Court in Abuja, accusing him of alleged fraud, forgery and the use of false documents in connection with a disputed property in London.
Prosecutors claimed that he knowingly received a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, which he maintained was gifted to him, and allegedly relied on a forged Nigerian passport to support that claim.
The prosecution argued that the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the FCT Penal Code.
On January 29, 2026, Oyedepo informed the court of the Attorney General’s decision to assume control of the prosecution from the anti-graft agency.
He stated that the takeover was pursuant to Section 174 of the Constitution, which empowers the Attorney General of the Federation to institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings.
According to Oyedepo, the decision was reached in collaboration with the ICPC and was intended to ensure that the prosecution adheres to the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and compliance with due process.
He explained that the Attorney General was guided by public interest considerations and the need to promote confidence, fairness and competence within the criminal justice system.
The DPPF further also noted that inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption was also a factor in the decision to assume control of the matter.
He assured the court that the rights of the defendant would be safeguarded and that no party would suffer injustice during the review of the case.
Oyedepo subsequently urged the court to take judicial notice of the formal takeover of the trial by the office of the Attorney General of the federation and requested an adjournment to allow for the retrieval and review of the case file from the ICPC.
Justice Kekemeke granted the application and struck out the charge.
