Identity Twist: Immigration Denies Validity Of Passport In High-Profile Property Fight

This was revealed during the resumed hearing of a case involving Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni at a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.

The matter involves allegations of forgery, impersonation, and the use of falsified documents to claim ownership of a London property said to be connected to the late Useni.

A prosecution witness, Aridegbe Akim, an official of the immigration service, told the court that the passport with number A07535463, allegedly issued to one Tali Shani, could not be traced in the agency’s database.

He explained that the service maintains comprehensive electronic records of all issued passports, which can be accessed through a person’s name, but no information was found for the identity linked to the document.

Under cross-examination, the witness noted that Nigerian passports are machine-readable and carry unique identification numbers generated during production. He added that the application process—ranging from payment and documentation to biometric enrolment and issuance—is fully captured in the system, with no record found for the disputed passport.

Although he acknowledged that the document resembled a genuine passport, he maintained that any valid passport must have verifiable records within the system.

Following the testimony, the prosecution requested time to call another witness, a move not opposed by the defence. The presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Oji, subsequently adjourned the case to May 18 for continuation.

The case, filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, accuses the defendants of forging an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, as well as impersonating a non-existent individual to support claims over a property located at 79 Randall Avenue in London. It also alleges that the property may have been acquired through unlawful means linked to the late former minister.