The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, on Friday granted bail in the sum of N10 million each to Mike Ozekhome, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged forgery.
The charges were instituted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), which accused the defendants of forging key documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney.
The prosecution alleged that the documents were used to assert ownership of a London property reportedly acquired unlawfully by the late Jeremiah Useni.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read also:Â EFCC arrests Mike Ozekhome after court strikes out forgery charge over UK property dispute
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) did not oppose the bail applications filed by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) on behalf of Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN), who represented Useni.
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each, with one surety each. The sureties are required to own property within the FCT. The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registry.
Justice Oji further ruled that, given that the proceedings were held on a Friday, the defendants may return home if they are unable to immediately perfect their bail conditions.
However, they must fulfil the conditions and report back to court on Monday, failing which they will be remanded in custody.
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