Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice has condemned arraignment of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN in court.
The group which appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the arraignment according to a statement by the Coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, which was made available to the media at the weekend, called on the president to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to review the case file and seek an administrative resolution.
“We plead for the arraignment to be halted in the interest of national peace and the honour of our democratic journey.”
“We respectfully call on the President, as the Father of the Nation, to intervene and halt the scheduled arraignment of human rights icon, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, slated for Monday, January 26, 2026, at the FCT High Court.
“As a coalition dedicated to the principles of equity and national stability, we believe that bringing a man of Chief Ozekhome’s standing—who has served for over 40 years as the “Senior Advocate of the Masses”—to a criminal dock over a matter that is essentially a civil property dispute serves no public interest. Such a move risks damaging the nation’s democratic image and demoralising the human rights community,” the statement said.
“Chief Mike Ozekhome is a national asset and a veteran of the pro-democracy struggle. We remind Mr President that Chief Ozekhome was a steadfast comrade-in-arms during the NADECO struggle against military tyranny,” it added.
The statement read in part:
“It would be a historical tragedy for a veteran of that struggle to face criminal prosecution under an administration led by a fellow veteran.
“For four decades, the learned Silk has offered his brilliance pro bono to the oppressed. Subjecting a 68-year-old icon to the rigours of a criminal trial over administrative technicalities is an avoidable stain on our judicial history.”
Meanwhile, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday, granted the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), approval to review the fraud charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission against Ozekhome.
Following the development, the court shifted the arraignment earlier fixed for Monday, to February 24, 2026, to allow the AGF’s office study the case file.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), declared his appearance for the AGF
He informed the court that the Attorney-General had taken over the prosecution from the ICPC, pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Oyedepo, the decision was taken in public interest and the need to ensure effectiveness, diligence, fairness and strict compliance with due process.
He assured the court that the defendant’s rights would be fully protected.
Counsel for the ICPC, Dr Osuebeni Akpos, who agreed to the takeover, pledged the commission’s cooperation.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), led 15 other Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the defence.
Justice Peter Kekemeke thereafter adjourned the matter till February 24 for arraignment.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the ICPC had filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome at the FCT High Court in Abuja, accusing him of alleged fraud, forgery and use of false documents in connection with a disputed property in London.
