How 15 SANs Mobilized for Ozekhome as AGF's Takeover of London Property Case Ignites Legal Firestorm

 BEHIND THE STORY: How 15 SANs Mobilized for Ozekhome as AGF's Takeover of London Property Case Ignites Legal Firestorm

An Exclusive Investigation by Adeboye Prince Adetu for Igbenews

Mike Ozekhome-SAN 

A dramatic legal showdown unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja this week, as 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) appeared for human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome, following the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi’s invocation of Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to take over a high-profile case.

This investigation uncovers the deeper layers of a case that is more than a simple asset forfeiture proceeding—it is a complex tangle of legal, political, and diplomatic threads.

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The Case in Focus

The case, originally filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2021, revolves around alleged money laundering linked to a multimillion-dollar London property at Flat 4, ON6, Villa 4, Hadley Street, London, W1H 1PN. The EFCC alleged the property, valued at over £1.2 million, was acquired through illicit funds traceable to contracts awarded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The initial defendants included a former aide to ex-President Jonathan, but the case took a sharp turn when the EFCC later amended its charges to suggest connections to other high-profile individuals. Ozekhome, representing one of the parties, challenged the EFCC’s jurisdiction and the legal basis of the allegations, calling it a “fishing expedition.”

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Why the AGF Invoked Section 174

Section 174(1)(b) and (c) of the Constitution grants the AGF powers to take over, continue, or discontinue any criminal proceedings in the interest of justice, public policy, and to prevent abuse of legal process.

Reliable sources within the Federal Ministry of Justice disclosed to Igbenews that the decision was prompted by:

1. Diplomatic Pressure – The UK authorities had raised concerns over Nigeria’s handling of the case, especially regarding mutual legal assistance and adherence to international asset recovery protocols.

2. Internal EFCC Discord – There were disagreements within the EFCC on the strength of evidence linking the property to specific individuals named in the suit.

3. Political Sensitivity – The case touches powerful figures across multiple administrations, and the AGF may be seeking to de-escalate potential political fallout.

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The Assembly of 15 SANs: A Strategic Countermove

The appearance of 15 SANs for Ozekhome is unprecedented in recent Nigerian legal history. This is not just a legal defense but a strategic statement.

Among the legal luminaries in the team are:

· Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN

· Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN

· Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN

· Ahmed Raji SAN

· Dayo Akinlaja SAN

A member of the defense team, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed:

“This is a test case for the independence of the anti-corruption agencies and the constitutional powers of the AGF. The EFCC’s case was built on weak forensic links, and the AGF’s takeover may be a move to quietly bury it. But we are in court to ensure due process is followed, not political convenience.”

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The Real Story: A Clash of Institutions

Behind the legal technicalities lies a fierce turf war between the EFCC and the Office of the AGF.

The EFCC, under its chairman, has historically resisted AGF’s interference in its cases, citing the need for operational independence. The AGF, however, contends that he is the chief law officer and must ensure Nigeria’s legal processes are not ridiculed internationally.

A former EFCC official told Igbenews:

“This London property case has been problematic from the start. The original evidence came from a foreign jurisdiction, and chain of custody issues arose. The AGF may be trying to prevent an embarrassing loss in court that could affect other ongoing international recoveries.”

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International Dimension

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had initially provided intelligence on the property. However, there are indications that the NCA grew frustrated with Nigeria’s prolonged litigation without concrete results. The AGF’s intervention may be an attempt to recalibrate the case in line with international expectations.

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What Next?

The case has been adjourned for further hearing. Legal analysts suggest two possible outcomes:

1. The AGF may use his powers to discontinue the case entirely, citing insufficient evidence.

2. The matter may be restructured and re-filed with clearer evidence, possibly focusing on different defendants.

The massive legal firepower assembled by Ozekhome signals that any attempt to sweep the case under the carpet will be fiercely contested.

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Bottom Line

This is more than a London property case—it is a battle over the soul of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war, the limits of prosecutorial powers, and the delicate balance between law and politics.

The AGF’s move, while constitutional, has ignited a legal inferno, and with 15 SANs in the arena, the courts will now decide not just the fate of a London flat, but the contours of Nigeria’s legal architecture.

Stay with Igbenews for more updates on this developing story.