A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has reportedly been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged involvement in a disputed property case in the United Kingdom, popularly referred to as the “Shani affair.”

The arrest came shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court struck out a forgery charge earlier filed against him.

According to reports by TheCable, the arrest is separate from a fresh 12-count charge filed by the federal government on Tuesday over the same matter.

The controversy centres on a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. Those named in the dispute include Ozekhome and the late retired Lieutenant-General, Jeremiah Useni.

The matter was filed before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (Land Registration), United Kingdom, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.

The property was claimed by “Ms Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other. Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. However, lawyers representing “Ms Shani” argued that she was the rightful owner.

A witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming he had Power of Attorney over the property and had transferred it to him.

He also asserted ownership of the property since 1993 and stated that he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner.”

On the other hand, witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani” tendered several documents — including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport and phone number — to support her ownership claim.

However, the tribunal found the documents submitted on behalf of “Ms Shani” to be fake and subsequently dismissed the claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General has filed fresh criminal charges against Ozekhome and others, alleging, among other offences, the use of a fake Nigerian international passport.

According to the charge sheet, the federal government alleged that between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Useni made a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 in the name of Tali Shani, purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, with the intent to support a claim to the London property.

The government said the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Penal Code Law, 2009, including conspiracy, forgery, personation, cheating by personation, and abetment.

Ozekhome is expected to be arraigned in court following his arrest.