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Ozekhome, Useni Used Fake Passport in London Property Claim, NIS Witness Tells Court
Ozekhome, Useni Used Fake Passport in London Property Claim, NIS Witness Tells Court
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome (SAN) and Ponfa Useni told the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Friday that the defendants allegedly presented a fake Nigerian international passport before a London tribunal to support their claim to ownership of a property once linked to the late former FCT Minister, General Jeremiah Useni. The witness also detailed how related documents and letters submitted in the matter were not authentic or traceable to the issuing authorities.
Ozekhome and Useni are being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on a 12‑count indictment that includes allegations of forging documents — including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney — and engaging in impersonation, fraud and cheating in connection with their effort to lay claim to the property at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom. The charges are brought under multiple sections of the Penal Code Act (CAP 532, Laws of the FCT, 2006).
NIS Official Says Passport Was Not Issued by Immigration Service
At the hearing, Aridegbe Akeem, a Principal Staff Officer to the Controller‑General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), testified as the first prosecution witness. Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, Akeem said a passport presented in the name of Tali Shani — Passport No. A07535463 — was not issued by the NIS and has no record in the agency’s database.
“It is not in our database,” Akeem said. “The passport belonging to Tali Shani is fake.” He explained that his team was instructed by the Comptroller‑General of the NIS to verify documents linked to the case at the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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Akeem said the NIS received letters from the EFCC seeking authentication of two passports — one belonging to Ponfa Useni and the other purportedly belonging to “Tali Shani.” Upon checking the NIS database, only Useni’s passport was found to be validly issued by the service. No record existed for Tali Shani. The findings were then forwarded to the EFCC for further action.
The witness also explained the passport issuance procedure in Nigeria, saying that after an applicant makes an online payment, the database generates a record linked with the National Identification Number (NIN) and the relevant biographical data. This data, he said, is encrypted in compliance with standards from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), enabling biometric verification at international borders.
However, when NIS officials searched the system for “Tali Shani,” no record was found. Akeem said that even sales and issuance logs did not contain any trace of the passport number in question.
Alleged Fake Letter and Phantom NIS Officer
Akeem further testified that during the EFCC’s investigation, the agency was asked to verify a letter claimed to have been written by one Abdulkadir Lawal, allegedly representing the NIS. The witness said that after checking the NIS Legal Unit and nominal roll, no such person was found in the service, and the letter did not originate from the NIS. This, he said, suggested the letter was forged.
“We then communicated our findings to the EFCC,” he added. The NIS also extended checks to the IPPS (Integrated Personnel and Payroll System) to ensure there was no record of the purported officer, confirming that Lawal did not exist in official records.
During cross‑examination by counsel to Ozekhome, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Akeem said he became a Principal Staff Officer in December 2023 but had been on out‑post duty outside Nigeria before July 2023. He also noted Nigeria’s full admission into PKG and PKI (ICAO security standards upgrades) in 2025, which enhance passport and travel document security and verification.
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Akeem recalled that the first EFCC letter to the NIS referenced Abdulkadir Lawal. At that point, Oyetibo requested an adjournment, which Justice Chizoba Oji granted, adjourning the case until April 15 for continuation of the trial.
Charges Against Ozekhome and Useni
Among the counts in the 12‑count charge before the court are allegations that:
- Ozekhome, Useni and the late General Jeremiah Useni made a false Nigerian international passport (No. A07535463) in the name of “Tali Shani” and claimed it was issued by the NIS to support Ozekhome’s claim to the London property — an offence under sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code Act.
- Ponfa Useni falsely personated “Tali Shani” and executed an Irrevocable Power of Attorney in that fictitious name to back the property claim, an offence under sections 179 and 321 of the Penal Code Act.
- Ozekhome allegedly abetted the impersonation by acting alongside Useni in executing the forged documents — an offence under section 85 of the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution also tendered several documents through the witness, including the EFCC letters to the NIS, NIS responses, and copies of both genuine and fake passports. These are expected to form a central part of the evidence as the trial progresses.
Broader Legal and Property Dispute Context
The case stems from a long‑running dispute over title to the London property at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, which was previously the subject of litigation before the UK First‑Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). In that tribunal, allegations of identity fraud, impersonation and use of forged documents were raised as part of the competing claims. That judgment and related findings fed into the criminal prosecution in Nigeria.
In January, the federal government formally filed the criminal charges against Ozekhome and Useni, accusing them of forgery, impersonation, cheating and use of false documents in relation to the attempt to claim ownership of the London property. Defence counsel has yet to respond publicly to the latest testimony.
Ozekhome, Useni Used Fake Passport in London Property Claim, NIS Witness Tells Court
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Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
Five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers, have been rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command after an intense intelligence-led operation involving multiple tactical units.
The students were reportedly kidnapped late on Monday, April 27, 2026, around the Sapade area in Remo North Local Government Area, throwing the institution and surrounding communities into panic.
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the incident was first reported at about 10:55 p.m. when officers at the Ipara Division received a distress call about a suspected abduction.
Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that a patrol team immediately moved to the scene where they discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood.
“The vehicle was observed with visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from within,” Babaseyi said.
Further checks by operatives reportedly revealed an identity card belonging to a student of Gateway Polytechnic, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students of the institution.
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The discovery prompted the immediate activation of a large-scale rescue mission ordered by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni.
According to the police, the rescue operation involved operatives from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA.
Security teams subsequently launched coordinated bush-combing operations and tracking exercises across suspected escape routes used by the abductors.
Police authorities said the sustained pressure mounted by the operatives forced the kidnappers into a confrontation with security personnel during the rescue effort.
“During the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds,” Babaseyi stated.
The five students were eventually rescued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, less than 24 hours after the abduction.
Authorities confirmed that the victims were immediately evacuated from the forest, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the physical and psychological conditions they suffered while in captivity.
Police also confirmed that no casualty was recorded among security operatives involved in the operation.
The Ogun State Police Command has since intensified bush-combing and manhunt operations to track down the fleeing suspects, with authorities expressing confidence that arrests will soon be made.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the tactical teams involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a result of swift coordination, intelligence gathering, and rapid deployment.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity affecting students and commuters across parts of Nigeria, particularly along highways and semi-rural communities.
Residents around Sapade and neighbouring communities have called for increased security patrols and surveillance around schools and major roads to prevent future attacks.
The police meanwhile urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking criminal groups operating within the state. (Royal News)
Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
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ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
The fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State, has continued to generate outrage across Nigeria, with fresh scrutiny now focused on the operational history and conduct of the officer identified as ASP Usman Nuhu.
The controversy began after a disturbing viral video surfaced online showing Ogidi seated on the ground with his hands tied behind his back while pleading for his life before he was shot at close range during a police operation along the Warri–Sapele Expressway.
In the footage, the victim repeatedly begged the officers not to kill him, insisting he had been misled by a friend and offering to cooperate with investigators.
“Officers, abeg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceive me. E dey Sapele. I go carry you go the place,” Ogidi was heard saying moments before the shooting.
Despite the suspect being restrained and posing no visible threat, an officer later identified as ASP Usman Nuhu allegedly cocked his rifle and fired directly at him. The suspect immediately collapsed as shocked residents and passers-by watched the scene unfold.
Following public outrage triggered by the video, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that the officer involved was ASP Usman Nuhu, attached to the Effurun Area Command.
Police spokesperson Bright Edafe stated that Ogidi had allegedly been arrested during an operation involving suspected illegal possession and transportation of a Beretta pistol and ammunition.
However, the command admitted that the shooting violated Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedures of the Nigeria Police Force, which regulate the use of firearms during operations.
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The police subsequently arrested ASP Nuhu, queried him internally, and transferred him to Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings and possible prosecution.
As the case gained national attention, reports and eyewitness accounts also began emerging about the officer’s alleged operational history.
Several local reports claimed ASP Nuhu was known in parts of the Niger Delta by the nickname “Ogbegbe,” loosely translated as “Gun-shooter,” allegedly due to his aggressive operational style and frequent use of force.
Some residents and online commentators further alleged that he had previously served in tactical policing units, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and may have faced complaints over excessive force in earlier postings.
Unverified reports also suggested that the officer had been transferred from previous commands following allegations of misconduct. However, no official police records confirming prior disciplinary action against him have been publicly released.
The growing revelations have intensified public criticism, with many Nigerians questioning how an officer accused of repeated aggressive conduct remained in active service.
Meanwhile, rights groups and civil society organisations have called for a broader investigation into all officers present during the incident, arguing that accountability should not stop with the officer who pulled the trigger.
Witnesses alleged that other officers were present during the operation and failed to intervene despite the suspect already being restrained.
The Delta State Police Command has maintained that investigations are ongoing and assured the public that justice will be served.
Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, condemned the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased, insisting that the command remains committed to transparency and accountability.
The killing of Mene Ogidi has once again reignited national conversations around police brutality in Nigeria, use of excessive force, and the need for deeper reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
Human rights advocates have continued to demand stricter enforcement of operational guidelines, independent oversight, and tougher sanctions against officers involved in unlawful killings.
As disciplinary proceedings continue at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, many Nigerians say the outcome of the case will test the sincerity of ongoing promises of police reform and accountability.
ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
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“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
IBADAN – For nearly four years, Eniola Fagbemi, better known as **Eniola Sisialagbo**, has built a small empire from her living room in Oyo State. With a warm smile and confident declarations of herbal expertise, she amassed nearly **400,000 followers on Facebook**—mostly Nigerians seeking solutions for fertility issues, infections, and male enhancement. But in the past 72 hours, that carefully crafted image has collapsed. A **private video**, allegedly showing Eniola, her husband **Hakeem**, and another woman in a sexual encounter, has leaked across Nigerian social media. The clip, believed to have originated in a **private WhatsApp group**, has since been shared thousands of times on **Facebook, Twitter (X), TikTok, and Instagram**. In the recording, Eniola is reportedly seen **filming the scene** while her husband engages with the second woman. The fallout has been brutal.
Eniola Sisialagbo was no ordinary influencer. She marketed herself as a **certified herbal expert**—a woman of faith who sold remedies for **stubborn infections, low sperm count, and fertility problems**. Her clients trusted her. Her followers admired her. Many viewed her as a **model of marital virtue**. That perception has now shattered. Within hours of the leak, Eniola’s social media pages were flooded with **insults, mockery, death threats, and calls for her business to be shut down**. Fellow Nigerians labeled her a **hypocrite**. Rivals celebrated her downfall. Even a woman claiming to be **Hakeem’s godmother** stepped forward—not to calm the storm, but to pour fuel on it. *“God just wanted to expose them,”* the woman said, adding that the video was *“leaked by mistake.”* The statement only deepened public ridicule.
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On the morning of April 29, 2026, Eniola posted a **raw, unfiltered apology** on her social media pages. Unlike the polished statements often issued by celebrities, hers read like a **cry for mercy**. She wrote: *“I own my mistakes and I apologize with all sincerity for the video circulating online. I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me. This is a difficult phase for me. I pray for God’s forgiveness and my fans’ forgiveness.”* She then made a plea that stunned many readers: *“Please, let’s move past this because this media platform is where I get the little support I need to feed myself. Do not condemn or castigate me. I am already passing through a lot. I can’t eat or sleep for days, and even sleeping medications aren’t working any longer.”* It was the final line that alarmed mental health advocates most: *“I am deeply sorry, everyone. Please forgive me. I don’t want to injure myself. I only have a little strength left.”*
Eniola’s admission of **suicidal thoughts** and **self-harm ideation** has sparked a secondary debate across Nigerian social media. While some commenters continue to mock her, others have called for **immediate compassion**. Dr. Femi Adeyemo, a Lagos-based clinical psychologist who reviewed her statement, said: *“When someone says sleeping medication has stopped working and they cannot eat for days, that is a psychiatric emergency. Bullying her further could have tragic consequences.”* As of press time, Eniola has **locked comments** on her pages to prevent further harassment. She has not deactivated her accounts, but her herbal business—her only source of income—remains in freefall.
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Legal analysts note that while the public is focused on Eniola’s conduct, the **original leak** of a private video may constitute a crime under Nigerian cyber laws. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees privacy, and the **Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015** criminalizes non-consensual sharing of intimate images. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for leaking the video. Eniola’s husband, Hakeem, has **not issued any public statement**. The identity of the second woman in the video remains unknown.
Across Nigeria, reactions remain sharply split. **Sympathizers** argue that a private mistake—however embarrassing—should not destroy a woman’s ability to feed herself. They point out that **no law was broken** by Eniola herself, and that the real wrong was the leak. **Critics** counter that **public figures who preach morality** must be held to higher standards. *“She sold herbs based on trust,”* one commenter wrote. *“If she lies about her own life, why should we trust her medicine?”* Others simply express exhaustion with the cycle of leaks, apologies, and online mob justice.
As of this writing, Eniola Sisialagbo remains **at home in Oyo State**, reportedly under the watch of family members. Her social media presence has gone silent except for the locked apology post. No word has come from brand partners or herbal suppliers. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) has been shared widely in response to her plea, though it remains unclear whether Eniola has sought professional help. One thing is certain: the video will not disappear. But whether Eniola Fagbemi survives this—personally, professionally, or even physically—depends now not on the internet’s memory, but on its mercy.
**If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or contact a local mental health professional immediately.**
“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
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