Ozekhome Calls for Depoliticised Anti‑Corruption Agencies as He Faces ICPC Probe

When Mike Ozekhome, Senior Advocate of Nigeria delivered a lecture titled Quest for Unity, Equity and Justice in Nigeria: Shall the Labour of Our Heroes Past Be in Vain? Abuja on 5 October 2025, he warned that the country’s fight against graft will fail unless the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are fully depoliticised and equipped with modern tools. The twist is that Ozekhome himself is now under investigation by the ICPC after a petition from the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) alleged forged identity documents and a dubious London property deal.

Background to Ozekhome’s Call for Reform

Ozekhome, a constitutional lawyer famed for high‑profile human‑rights cases, has long championed institutional independence. His lecture came at a time when Nigeria is gearing up for the 2027 general elections, an event many view as a litmus test for democratic resilience. The speaker referenced past election scandals, pointing out that without an empowered anti‑corruption watchdog, “the same few will rig the system again”.

He also cited the 2022 EFCC restructuring that left many senior officers vulnerable to political reshuffles, a move he described as “a recipe for inaction”. According to the lecturer, the 2024 SEC crackdown on market abuse failed to deliver because the agency’s budget was slashed after a parliamentary vote. The pattern, Ozekhome argued, is clear: politicisation dilutes mandate, and dilution breeds impunity.

Details of the Anti‑Corruption Appeal

During the session, Ozekhome outlined a three‑point agenda:

• Depoliticise the EFCC, ICPC, CBN and SEC by amending the 1999 Constitution to guarantee tenure and shield leadership from arbitrary removal.
• Equip these bodies with cutting‑edge technology – biometric verification, blockchain‑based asset tracing and AI‑driven data analytics – to close loopholes that criminals exploit.
• Strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with real‑time monitoring tools so that any breach in the upcoming 2027 polls is instantly flagged and sanctioned.

He warned that “scapegoats must be made of deviant public officials” and that the electorate should treat elections as “peaceful competitions of ideas, not battles for power”. The call resonated with civil‑society groups who have repeatedly asked for a “fire‑break” between politics and anti‑corruption enforcement.

Allegations Against Ozekhome and the ICPC Investigation

Ironically, the same day Ozekhome finished his remarks, HEDA submitted a petition to the ICPC alleging that the lawyer and his son, Osilama Ozekhome, used a fabricated National Identification Number (NIN) to purchase a £2.1 million flat in London. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) confirmed that the NIN was generated remotely from Monaco under an “amputee exception” without biometric capture, and that the associated 9mobile phone number traced back to a law‑firm office.

Police investigations in Jos revealed the address used in the application was fictitious. HEDA argued that such a scheme could not have succeeded without collusion from officials at NIMC, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Inland Revenue Service and several court registrars. The ICPC has now opened a formal probe, and the Attorney‑General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, announced a review of the London property tribunal’s judgment during the Supreme Court’s 2025/2026 legal year opening ceremony in Abuja.

Fagbemi called the judgment “an egregious development that bears sadly on the integrity of the Nigerian legal profession”. He urged both the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to cooperate fully with the investigation and warned that the case could result in disbarment should the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee find evidence of misconduct.

Reactions from Government and Legal Bodies

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and State Security Service chief Adeola Ajayi recently wrote to the newspaper Peoples Gazette, demanding a retraction of reports alleging coercion in the resignation of NNPC boss Bayo Ojulari. Ozekhome’s response dismissed the demands as “baseless”, insisting that the reporting met global journalistic standards.

Meanwhile, HEDA’s lead campaigner, Olanrewaju Suraj, warned that the case “is emblematic of a wider malaise where corrupt officials and unscrupulous lawyers collude to manipulate public institutions”. He called for swift ICPC action and for the recovery of the London asset in collaboration with UK authorities.

Implications for Nigeria’s Anti‑Corruption Drive

The juxtaposition of Ozekhome’s public plea and his personal legal troubles highlights a systemic challenge: reformers are often themselves caught in the web they seek to untangle. If the ICPC’s investigation leads to prosecution, it could set a precedent that even senior counsel are not immune, reinforcing Ozekhome’s own message about accountability.

On the other hand, the scandal could undermine public confidence in the very agencies Ozekhome wants to empower. Citizens may wonder whether depoliticising the EFCC or ICPC would truly curb entrenched patronage, or merely shuffle the same networks into new positions.

Experts, such as Prof. Chidi Odinkalu of the Centre for Democracy and Development, argue that technology alone won’t fix the problem. “You can automate fraud detection, but you still need political will to act on the findings,” he told a radio interview on 12 October 2025. The consensus is that any successful reform must pair legal safeguards with transparent oversight mechanisms.

What Comes Next?

The ICPC is expected to submit an interim report to the Attorney‑General within six weeks. If charges are filed, the case could travel to the Federal High Court, where the LPDC would decide on professional discipline. Simultaneously, Ozekhome’s call for agency reform is likely to be tabled in the upcoming National Assembly committee hearing on anti‑corruption legislation scheduled for early 2026.

For voters, the key takeaway is that the 2027 elections will be watched not only for candidate platforms but also for the strength of the institutions that police the process. Whether Nigeria can finally break the cycle of “elite‑driven” corruption remains to be seen, but the next few months will be telling.