By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jeremiah Useni, to February 25.
The case followed an ex parte application filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2025 seeking an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the property, alleging that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.
The interim forfeiture order was granted on November 28, 2025, by Justice Binta Nyako, and directed the CCB to publish the order in a national newspaper within 14 days, inviting “any person or body” with an interest in the property to come forward and establish lawful ownership.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, January 26, counsel to the CCB, Sufyan Ibrahim Ahmad, informed the court that the processes had been served on the respondent and that proof of service was before the court.
When asked how and on whom service was effected, Ahmad said attempts to serve the documents at Useni’s last known address in Jos, Plateau State, were unsuccessful as no relative of the deceased was available to receive them.
Ahmad added that the occupants of the property provided the address of a law firm in the FCT, which in turn gave the bureau the address of Useni’s daughter, on whom the processes were eventually served.
Nyako, however, observed that the court had not granted the CCB leave to effect substituted service.
The judge also asked whether Useni’s daughter was the legal administrator of his estate or of the property sought to be forfeited. The counsel to the CCB replied in the negative, adding that he was not aware whether the deceased left a will.
The court consequently directed the CCB to file an application seeking leave for substituted service and adjourned the matter to February 25.
The property in question is located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
Those named in the property dispute are Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Useni, a retired lieutenant-general.
The matter was filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
One “Mrs Tali Shani” had claimed the property on one hand, Ozekhome also laid claim to it, saying he received the house as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers for “Ms Shani” insisted she was the rightful owner.
A witness known as “Mr Tali Shani” had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred the property to Ozekhome.
Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elderly friend and business partner.”
To claim ownership of the property, witnesses of “Ms Tali Shani” tendered several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, among others.
However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms Tali Shani to be fake.
The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge against Ozekhome on January 16.
Ozekhome was to be arraigned before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, January 26, but the case was adjourned till February 24.
