Court Sets Jan 26 to Rule on Final Forfeiture of London Property Linked to Useni, Ozekhome

The federal high court in Abuja has fixed January 26 to rule on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The decision followed the failure of any individual or representative of Useni’s estate to appear within the statutory 14-day window to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the federal government.

The proceedings arose from an ex parte application filed in late 2025 by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which sought an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the disputed property, alleging it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

On November 28, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, granted the interim forfeiture order.

The judge directed the CCB to advertise the order in a national newspaper within 14 days to invite “any person or body” with interest in the property to come forward and prove legitimate acquisition.

● BACKGROUND

The property is located at 79 Randall avenue, London NW2 7SX.

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.

The property had been claimed by one “Ms Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.

Ozekhome said he received the house as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers for “Ms Shani” insisted she was the rightful owner.