Court Rules on Forfeiture of UK Property Linked to Former FCT Minister

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a directive for the final forfeiture of a property located in the United Kingdom, which is connected to the late Jeremiah Useni, who previously held the position of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Federal Government.

Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the application for forfeiture presented by Sufyan Ahmad, the counsel representing the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), was valid and thus the request was approved.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the property in question is situated at No. 79, Randall Avenue, Neasden, London NW2 7SX.

In the legal suit identified by the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2333/2025, the CCB listed the Administrators of the Estate of late General Jeremiah Useni, the Executors of the Estate of the late General Jeremiah Useni, and the property at No. 79, Randall Avenue, Neasden, London NW2 7SX as the first, second, and third respondents, respectively.

Ahmad informed the court that there are reasonable suspicions that the property was acquired through dubious means.

Also part of the dispute regarding the property is Cgueg Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

This matter has also been recorded at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration in the UK under the case number REF/2023/0155, which names Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.

The ownership of the property was claimed by an individual referred to as “Ms Tali Shani” alongside Ozekhome.

Ozekhome contended that he was gifted the property by “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, whereas legal representatives for “Ms Shani” argued that she is the legitimate owner.

A witness known as “Mr Tali Shani” provided testimony supporting Ozekhome’s claim, asserting he held “Powers of Attorney” for the property and had transferred it to the respondent (Ozekhome).

Mr Shani claimed to have owned the property since 1993 and mentioned that Useni was appointed by him as the property manager, referring to Useni as an “elder friend and business associate.”

Conversely, several documents, including an obituary, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, an ECOWAS passport, a phone number, and more were presented by witnesses supporting Ms Tali Shani's claim of ownership.

However, the tribunal ultimately dismissed all claims regarding Ms Tali Shani, finding the documents she provided to be fraudulent and ruled that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani appeared to exist.