Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 26 to deliver a ruling on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Gatekeepers News reports that the property is being investigated over allegations that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The date was set after no individual or representative of Useni’s estate came forward within the legally required 14 days to explain why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court noted that the absence of any challenge cleared the way for a decision on permanent forfeiture.
The matter arose from an ex parte application filed in late 2025 by the Code of Conduct Bureau. In the application, the bureau requested an interim forfeiture and preservation order, insisting that the property was suspicious and linked to illegal transactions.
On November 28, Justice Binta Nyako granted the interim forfeiture and directed the bureau to publish the order in a national newspaper within 14 days, inviting “any person or body” with an interest in the property to appear and show proof of lawful ownership.
The disputed property is located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. Those linked to the matter include the late Useni, a retired lieutenant-general, and Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The dispute over ownership was earlier taken before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration in the United Kingdom under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
During the UK proceedings, Ozekhome claimed that the property was given to him as a gift in 2021 by “Mr Tali Shani.” However, lawyers representing “Ms Tali Shani” argued that she was the true owner.
A witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming he had powers of attorney over the property and transferred it to him. He also said he had owned the house since 1993 and later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner.”
On the other side, witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents including an obituary notice, National Identification Number card, ECOWAS passport and phone records to support her claim.
The tribunal, however, found all the documents presented on her behalf to be fake. In its final decision, the tribunal dismissed all claims and ruled that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Following developments from the UK case, the Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Ozekhome over alleged forgery and use of false documents connected to the London property.
The charges were filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission before a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charge sheet reads, “COUNT ONE: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August, 2021 or thereabout at a place outside Nigeria i.e. London, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly received house 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX purportedly given to you by one Mr Shani Tali, an act you knew constitutes a felony and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 13 and punishable under section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Act, 2000.”
“COUNT TWO: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a legal practitioner and senior advocate of Nigeria did make a false document, to wit: Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali with intent to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX with intent to commit fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 363 and punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.”
“COUNT THREE: That you Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (M) ‘68yrs’ of No. 53, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a legal practitioner and senior advocate of Nigeria dishonestly used as genuine a false Nigeria passport A07535463 bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali to support claim of ownership of property known and described as 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX when you had reason to believe that the said document was false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.”
The court is expected to consider all submissions and developments when it delivers its ruling on January 26.
