An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Aridegbe Akim, has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that the name Tali Shani does not exist in the agency’s passport database. He gave the testimony while appearing as a witness in the ongoing trial of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, in Maitama, Abuja.
Aridegbe Akim said the Nigerian passport allegedly used to support claims to a disputed London property was not issued by the service. He explained that the immigration database captures all passport records, including biometric data and national identification numbers, and that no entry was found when the name was searched.
The witness added that the passport issuance process involves several stages, including payment, documentation, biometric enrolment and final issuance, none of which were linked to the document in question. He noted that although the passport appeared genuine, every valid Nigerian passport must correspond with records in the official database.
Also Read: FG Files Fresh Charges Against Ozekhome Over Alleged Fake Passport
Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of former Federal Capital Territory Minister Jeremiah Useni, are facing charges related to alleged forgery and impersonation. The presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Oji, adjourned the case to May 18 for continuation of the trial after the prosecution, led by A. R. Tahir, requested more time to present additional witnesses.
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