The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of the alleged forgery case filed against senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The move temporarily halts Ozekhome’s scheduled arraignment before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
At the court session, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announces that the AGF now assumes control of the case in line with constitutional powers, Mediaplusng.com reports. The takeover effectively pauses proceedings on the three-count charge, which includes allegations of forgery.
Oyedepo informs the court that the decision follows the AGF’s authority under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the Attorney General to take over, continue, or discontinue criminal proceedings initiated by any agency. He states that the office is reviewing the case file before proceeding further.
Counsel to the ICPC, Osuebeni Akpomisingha, raises no objection to the AGF’s takeover, allowing the transition to proceed smoothly in court. The development also receives no resistance from the defence team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), alongside a legal team comprising 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mediaplusng.com reports.
Legal observers note that the AGF’s intervention is a lawful procedural step and does not amount to a withdrawal of charges. Instead, it places the prosecution fully under the control of the Federal Ministry of Justice, pending further legal review and direction.
Following an application for adjournment by the prosecution, which the defence does not oppose, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourns the matter to February 24 for arraignment. The court directs all parties to be ready for proceedings on the next adjourned date.
The case attracts national attention due to Ozekhome’s status as a prominent constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, raising public interest in how the matter will proceed under the AGF’s supervision.
Legal analysts say the takeover could lead to a review of charges, amendment of the information, or a fresh prosecutorial strategy, depending on the outcome of internal assessments by the Ministry of Justice.
The Federal Government maintains that the action reflects due process and respect for constitutional safeguards, stressing that all criminal cases must follow established legal procedures regardless of the status of the accused.
As the case moves to its next stage, attention now shifts to the February 24 court date, when Ozekhome is expected to take his plea before the FCT High Court.
