WORLD PRESS STATEMENT
IN SOLIDARITY WITH LEGAL LUMINARY
Chief. Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR
Issued by the Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations today 4th March 2026
The Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations—comprising youth leaders drawn from the six geo-political zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including but not limited to the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Oodua Youth Parliament, Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement, North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance and allied civil society organisations hereby expresses its profound outrage, disappointment and categorical rejection of what appears to be the unjust criminalisation of a matter fundamentally civil in nature involving one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR.
We are deeply concerned by the actions of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation using the instrumentality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in pursuing a criminal prosecution over a property gift transaction reportedly intended for registration in London, an issue that, by every reasonable legal standard, falls within the realm of civil dispute resolution.
The transformation of such a matter into a criminal prosecution raises serious questions about proportionality, fairness, and adherence to due process. It sends a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that legal interpretation may be stretched beyond reason in matters that require civil adjudication, not criminal sanction,especially as the UK adjudicatory tribunal found Prof Ozekhome blameless in it’s judgment.
Professor Mike Ozekhome is not just a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); he is a towering symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle and evolution. For decades, he has stood fearlessly against military dictatorship, constitutional infractions, executive recklessness, and human rights violations. His sacrifices both personal and professional have helped shape Nigeria’s legal and democratic jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
It is therefore most painful and highly unacceptable that a man whose legacy is intertwined with Nigeria’s democratic struggles could be subjected to what appears to be a needless and avoidable prosecution, particularly after an earlier case on the same subject matter had been withdrawn by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in a competent court of law.
On behalf of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations nationwide, we acknowledge the intervention of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, for assuming later oversight of the matter.We had recognized this as a step towards restoring institutional balance and reaffirming constitutional authority within the prosecutorial framework under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
However, we firmly state that oversight alone is not enough. We,as well as most Nigerians, had expected him to terminate the proceedings that appear targeted at him alone since none of the other lawyers mentioned in the case has been arraigned.
OUR DEMANDS
In the interest of justice, national unity, and institutional credibility, we hereby demand the following:
1. *Immediate and Unconditional Withdrawal of the Charges* :
We call upon the Honourable Attorney-General to exercise his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to discontinue this needless prosecution forthwith. Justice delayed in this context is justice denied.
2. *Protection of Due Process and Legal Integrity*:
Prosecutorial powers must never be used in a manner that blurs the line between civil and criminal jurisprudence. We demand a clear reaffirmation of this distinction to prevent future abuse.
3. *Institutional Accountability*:
Investigative and prosecuting agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC that had initially rushed to court and given the case wide publicity, must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and avoid sensational actions that may erode public trust and confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
4. *Preservation of the Legal Profession’s Integrity*:
The continued prosecution of a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria over a matter widely perceived as civil risks undermining confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and diminishing the standing of the legal profession.
5. *Safeguarding Nigeria’s International Reputation*:
Nigeria’s global image must not be compromised by prosecutorial decisions that appear excessive or legally questionable, particularly when they involve individuals of international legal repute.
6. *Restoration of Youth Confidence in Democratic Institutions*:
Nigerian youths demand a justice system that is impartial, principled, and immune from perceptions of intimidation or selective application of the law.
Let it be clearly stated : our call is not for immunity from the law.
No Nigerian is above the law. However, the law itself must not be stretched beyond logic or fairness ot targeted at specific crritical individuals in pursuit of outcomes that could have been resolved through civil mechanisms.
Justice must never be weaponised. Justice must never be selective. Justice must never be perceived as retaliatory. Justice must never been seen as persecutory.
We therefore urge the Honourable Attorney-General to act decisively and courageously in defence of constitutionalism, fairness and national interest by discontinuing these charges in their entirely.
Nigeria’s democracy was built on sacrifices made by Nigerians amongst whom Ozekhome’s name resonates clearly. It must not be weakened by prosecutorial excesses of retaliatory measures.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.
SIGNED:
*Amb. Olasunkanmi Kolawole*
Convener & President
North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria
*Dr. Isah Abubakar*
Co-Convener & President
Northern Youth Council of Nigeria
*Comrade Tochukwu Okoye*
President
Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement of Nigeria
*Activist. Olamilekan Oladimeji*
President
Odu’a Youth Parliament.
*Malam Lukman Lawal*
National Coordinator
Youth Alliance for National Transformation.
*Comrade. Alabi Akeem Abiodun*
National Coordinator
Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance.
