Nigerian Passport Forgery Trial in Abuja

A prosecution witness, Aridegbe Akim from the Nigeria===Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), testified in an Abuja high court that a Nigerian passport bearing the name 'Tali Shani' was fake and not issued by the NIS. This testimony is part of the ongoing trial of Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, who are accused by the Office of the Nigeria===Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigeria===Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of forging documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, to claim a United Kingdom===London property allegedly acquired unlawfully by the late General Jeremiah Useni. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge. The NIS confirmed that while Ponfa Useni's passport was genuine, the 'Tali Shani' passport was not in their database. The court adjourned the case until April 15 for further cross-examination.