Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Mike Ozekhome, Co-Defendant ₦10m Bail Each

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has granted ₦10 million bail each to senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and fraudulent documentation.

Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail on Friday after they pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged several documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, which were allegedly used to lay claim to a London property said to have been unlawfully procured by the late Jeremiah Useni.

According to the charge, the disputed documents were allegedly presented as genuine to assert ownership over the foreign property, an act the prosecution said contravenes Nigeria’s criminal laws on forgery and false representation.

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During the bail hearing, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court that the prosecution did not oppose the bail applications. The applications were moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F R Onoja (SAN) for Useni.

In her ruling, Justice Oji ordered that each defendant must provide one surety in like sum of ₦10 million, with the surety owning verifiable property within the Federal Capital Territory. The court also directed both defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registry.

The judge noted that because the proceedings took place on a Friday, the defendants would be allowed to return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately. However, they were ordered to report back to court on Monday to complete the bail process, failing which they would be remanded in prison custody.

The matter was adjourned to a later date for the commencement of trial, as the court prepares to hear evidence on the alleged forgery and the circumstances surrounding the disputed London property.

The case has attracted public interest due to Ozekhome’s standing as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, constitutional lawyer, and human rights activist, as well as the cross-border nature of the alleged property transaction.

Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Mike Ozekhome, Co-Defendant ₦10m Bail Each

Alleged Terrorism: Court Grants ₦200m Bail to Malami, Son, Orders Remand in Kuje Prison

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has granted ₦200 million bail each to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over charges bordering on alleged terrorism, terrorism financing, and illegal possession of firearms.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the bail on Friday while ruling on an application argued by the defendants’ lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN). However, the court ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

As part of the bail terms, the court directed that Mr Malami and his son must each provide two sureties in the sum of ₦200 million. One of the sureties for each defendant must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, two prime districts in Abuja. The title documents of the properties are to be deposited with the court’s deputy chief registrar.

The judge further ordered that the sureties must submit affidavits of means, valid international passports, and two recent passport photographs. In addition, both Mr Malami and Abdulaziz were directed to deposit their international passports and passport photographs with the court.

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Justice Abdulmalik subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of trial.

The defendants were arraigned by the State Security Service (SSS) on a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, bordering on terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the prosecution, Mr Malami allegedly refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to him during his tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, an action the SSS claims amounts to abetting terrorism financing, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The SSS further alleged that Mr Malami and his son unlawfully stored firearms and ammunition at their residence in the Gesse Phase II area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

Specifically, the defendants were accused of possessing one Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, offences said to be punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.

The case has attracted nationwide attention due to Mr Malami’s former role as Nigeria’s chief law officer and the sensitive nature of terrorism and national security cases in Nigeria.

Alleged Terrorism: Court Grants ₦200m Bail to Malami, Son, Orders Remand in Kuje Prison

Bandits Kill Scores, Abduct Many in Fresh Attacks Across Northern Nigeria

A fresh wave of coordinated violence has rocked northern Nigeria, with gunmen killing scores of people and abducting dozens across Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kwara and Plateau states within 72 hours.

The renewed attacks — linked to suspected Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandit groups — have intensified concerns over worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, as communities grapple with repeated raids, mass killings and kidnappings for ransom.

In Adamawa State, the hometown of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Madagali Local Government Area, came under attack again late Tuesday night. Local sources said suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed Kirchinga village around midnight, shooting residents and burning homes. Casualty figures from residents put the death toll at no fewer than 24, though the Nigeria Police Force said it was still compiling official numbers. This marks the fourth attack on Madagali in five months, following earlier raids on October 1, November 19, December 8, 2025, and February 24, 2026 — raising fears of renewed insurgent activity in the northeastern corridor. Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje said authorities were verifying casualty figures and assessing the full scale of destruction.

In Kebbi State, gunmen attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area, during a nighttime Qur’anic Tafsir session coinciding with Taraweeh prayers. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that five worshippers were killed and three others injured when the attackers opened fire around 8:30 p.m. Police spokesperson Bashir Usman described the incident as a reprisal attack by suspected terrorists, adding that security operatives have been deployed to restore calm and begin investigations.

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In Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, suspected bandits abducted several residents during a late-night raid. Witnesses said the attackers fired sporadically before moving house-to-house. The number of abductees remains unclear. The raid occurred barely a week after 16 residents were kidnapped in the same area, with gunmen reportedly demanding N20 million and three motorcycles as ransom. Recurring bandit attacks in Sokoto have severely disrupted farming activities and daily life, forcing many families to flee.

In Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, suspected bandits kidnapped four members of the same family from their farmland around 5 a.m. Wednesday. Community sources said five relatives were initially rounded up, but an elderly man was later released while four others were taken to an unknown location. The abduction sparked protests in Ilorin, where youths under the Coalition of Kwara North Youths demanded urgent government intervention to curb escalating violence in Edu, Patigi and Kaiama LGAs.

Meanwhile, in Plateau State, nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje community, Barkin Ladi LGA, were laid to rest in a mass burial attended by grieving residents. Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy Ngo Piyo, vowed that perpetrators would face justice.

Security analysts warn that banditry and insurgency in Northern Nigeria are stretching security forces thin. Contributing factors include the proliferation of small arms, vast forest terrain used as hideouts, weak rural policing structures, and economic hardship. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for expanded funding for the Nigerian Army Aviation wing to strengthen counter-insurgency and anti-bandit operations.

The latest attacks have left dozens dead, displaced families, forced farmers to abandon fields and deepened fear across rural communities. Residents across affected states are calling for decisive, intelligence-driven military operations and stronger federal-state coordination to halt the spiral of violence.

Bandits Kill Scores, Abduct Many in Fresh Attacks Across Northern Nigeria