AGF Stalls Arraignment Of Ozekhome, Takes Over Case From ICPC, 16 SANs Lead Defence

By Ayodele Oni

The arraignment of senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before a High Court in Abuja on Monday did not hold as expected.

Instead, the Court gave the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the go- ahead to review the case file of the fraud charges brought against Ozekhome by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Related Commission (ICPC).

The arraignment has now been shifted to February 24.

A former AGF and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi SAN led 15 other SANs to announce their appearance for Ozekhome.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had dragged the Human Rights Lawyer, Ozekhome, to Court over alleged forgery in the United Kingdom, (UK) Property Case.

The three-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026, was filed before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, head of the prosecution department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

However, the AGF, who took over prosecution of the charges on Monday said that he needed time to go through thoroughly the case file and take a well informed decision.

At the Monday’s proceedings, the Head, High Profile Prosecution Department of ICPC, Dr Osuebeni Akpomesingha Akpos, had announced appearance for the prosecution.

At this point, the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, announced his appearance on behalf of the AGF and informed Justice Peter Kekemeke of the decision of the AGF to take over the case from ICPC.

He said that the decision was pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and to collaborate with the ICPC to ensure that the prosecution meets the highest standard of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and compliance with due process of law.

The DPPF further told the court that the decision was also guided by public interest and to instil confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice.

He assured the court that the right of the defendant will be protected and that no party will be made to suffer any adverse, adding that inter-agency cooperation to fight corruption was also considered by the OAGF.

He therefore asked the court to take judicial notice of the take over of the trial by the AGF Office.

The AGF therefore sought adjournment to enable his office retrieve the case file from the ICPC to thoroughly review it and take the next line of action.

The ICPC lawyer, in reaction, did not object to the takeover and promised that the commission will cooperate fully with the AGF office, being the agency that investigated the matter.

By consensus of lawyers, Justice Peter Kekemeke fixed February 24 for arraignment.

A coalition of Human Rights Groups had pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to stop the arraignment of the Activist, while the Nigeria Bar Association said the action would give Ozekhome opportunity to clear his name.