HEDA Urges Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo to Probe Fraudulent Nigerian Documents Exposed in UK Court Case Involving Chief Mike Ozekhome
HEDA LOGO
By Morris Nor// The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to launch an urgent and transparent investigation into the fraudulent procurement of Nigerian national documents exposed in a recent judgment by the United Kingdom’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
The case, Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome ([2025] UKFTT 1090 (PC)), delivered on September 11, 2025, revealed shocking details of fraud and forgery. The UK court found that the claimant, “Ms. Tali Shani,” was a non-existent person, and that the case was built on deceit using forged Nigerian documents including a National Identification Number (NIN), Death Certificate, and an ECOWAS Travel Certificate (passport) by certain persons representing Ms Tali Shani with Mohammed Edewor, a legal practitioner identified as the known Nigerian facilitator
In similar vein, a fake Mr. Tali Shani was presented to the court by Chief Ozekhone and his son, supported by fraudulently procured Nigerian Passport and National Identification Number through the Nigerian immigration Servixe and National Identity Management Commissin under your ministry.
According to the court, these documents were central to an elaborate attempt to mislead the court and illegally claim ownership of a property. The revelation, HEDA said, exposes deep cracks in Nigeria’s identity and documentation systems, with grave implications for national security and global reputation.
In a petition signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA expressed outrage that such fraudulent documents could be procured and presented to a foreign court. “This case raises serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s national identification and passport systems. When forged documents can be used so easily to commit international fraud, it undermines our institutions and endangers national security,” Suraju said.
HEDA is calling for a full-scale investigation into how the fictitious “Ms. Tali Shani” and “Mr. Tali Shani” obtained these documents, as well as the roles played by individuals, officials, and any legal or private entities, including the law firms of Chief Mike Ozekhome and Edewor Solicitors.
The civil society organization also demanded that the Ministry should uncover all those involved in producing or facilitating the fraudulently obtained documents; enforce strict penalties against the culprits; strengthen systems to prevent the future issuance of national documents to fictitious persons; and make the findings of the investigation public to restore confidence in Nigeria’s documentation regime.
“As a country, we cannot afford to overlook such a scandal. The ease with which fraudulent NIN and passport documents were issued calls for immediate reforms in our identity management processes. Accountability must be enforced to protect Nigeria’s image and safeguard our institutions from criminal manipulation,” Suraju emphasized.
About Author
