Metro
Ozekhome’s Trial: Tali Shani’s Passport Fake, Not Issued By NIS, Witness Tells Court
The Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Aridegbe Akim, today told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the ongoing trial of constitutional lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome and one other that the passport with the name Tali Shani was fake as the NIS did not issue it.
Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni were dragged before Justice Chizoba Oji, sitting at Maitama, Abuja by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery.
They were, among others, accused of making a false Nigerian international passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani, and purported same to have been issued by the NIS with the intent of using same to support claim of ownership to a property known as No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2.
The offence, according to prosecution, is contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act CAP 532 Laws of the FCT 2006 and punishable under section 364 of the same Act.
At the commencement of trial today, the first prosecution witness, Aridegbe Akim, told the court that the purported passport issued to Tali Shani with the number was fake as it was not in the NIS database.
According to him, “The Nigerian passport A07535463 was not issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service, it is not in our database. The passport belonging to Tali Shani is fake.”
Led in his evidence-in-chief by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, Akim told the court that the Immigration Service received letters from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to authenticate the passports of Ponfa Useni and Tali Shani.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: AGF Withdraws Forgery Charge Against Senior Lawyer, Ozekhome
He informed that based on EFCC’s request, the Service checked its database and discovered that the passport bearing Tali Shani was not issued by the NIS, while the other belonging to Ponfa Useni was issued by the NIS.
He said upon this discovery, the Immigration forwarded its finding to EFCC.
The senior prosecuting counsel, therefore, tendered the EFCC’s letter to the NIS to authenticate the passports and the Immigration’s response to the anti-corruption commission as evidence.
Counsel for Ozekhome, Tayo Oyetibo SAN and that of Useni, F.R. Onoja SAN, did not object to admissibility of the letters. They were subsequently admitted by the court and marked as exhibits.
When asked by the prosecutor to explain the procedure for issuance of Nigerian passport to the court, Akim said after an online payment had been made by an applicant, the NIS database would generate the record and the breeder documents would then be generated and inputted into the system, alongside the National Identification Number (NIN).
This, according to the PW1, would then generate the data for the applicant.
The prosecution witness further told the court that Nigerian passports were now encrypted into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), adding that this made it easier for international borders to access biometric data.
READ ALSO:Why Only South East Deserves New State – Ozekhome
“Any passport the NIS produces goes through a systematic process before its final production. But such was not the case with Tali Shani,”Akim told the court.
He added that the NIS system works in such a way that once a name inserted, it brings out the particulars and history of that person.
He told the court that, “On inserting this Tali Shani in the NIS system, no record was found,” adding that the NIS did not have any record of sales in respect of this particular Tali Shani passport.
The PW1 told the court that EFCC later sent a letter NIS to release Abdulkadir Lawal for interview, adding that the Immigration did not find such person on its nominal roll after checking legal unit.
He added that the NIS extended its search of the said Abdulkadir Lawal to IPPIS to be sure of its discovery and no such name existed.
He said that, “Of the service, no name of such exists. We then communicated our findings to the EFCC.”
Also, the witness said EFCC requested the authentication of a letter the said Abdulkadir Lawal wrote, which prompted the Comptroller General of NIS to direct that a team be set up on the EFCC’s request.
Akim told the court that the team was eventually set up and was the head of the team, adding the team discovered that the said Abdulkadir Lawal never represented the NIS.
READ ALSO:UK Probe Finds No Stolen Nigerian Funds Linked To Diezani – Ozekhome
“The letter written by the same Abdulkadir Lawal never represented the NIS. This means the letter is fake,” the PW1 told the court.
Again, the prosecutor tendered the correspondences between EFCC NIS in evidence through the witness but both Oyetibo and Onoja reserved their objection to the admissibility of the documents to the final address.
The documents were admitted and marked as exhibits by the court.
While being cross examined by the counsel for Ozekhome, Oyetibo SAN, the witness informed the court that he became a principal staff officer in December 2023 and had prior to that time, been on out-post duty outside Nigeria.
He informed the court that Nigeria was fully admitted into PKG and PKI and an ICAO upgrade in 2025.
Following a request for an adjournment by Oyetibo, Justice Oji adjourned the case to April 15 for continuation of cross-examination of PW1.
(TRIBUNE)
Metro
Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists
The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.
This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.
Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.
READ ALSO:Edo Police Arrest Four Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms
The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.
“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.
“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.
READ ALSO: Idahosa Expresses Gratitude To Okpebholo, Oshiomhole, Others For Support At mother’s Demise
“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.
“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”
She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.
He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.
Metro
Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack
The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.
This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.
READ ALSO:UN Troops Restore Crucifix After Damage By Israeli Military
According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.
In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.
It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.
According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.
READ ALSO:Troops Arrest TikTok Bandits Promoter
The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.
“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.
Metro
Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.
The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.
According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.
READ ALSO:Police Reject N500m Bribe, Recover N7.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.
Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.
After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.
READ ALSO:Court Orders Police To Unseal Disputed Lekki Property
Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.
“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.
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