By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted bail of ₦10 million each to prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of forgery of documents such as an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney allegedly used to lay claim to a London property said to have been unlawfully procured by the late General Jeremiah Useni.
Counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F. R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
In her ruling, Justice Orji granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦10 million with one surety apiece. The sureties are required to own property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court further directed that, as the proceedings were held on a Friday, the defendants may return to their homes if unable to immediately fulfil the bail conditions but must perfect the terms by Monday or risk being remanded in custody.
Further details are expected.
