The federal high court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to February 25.
In 2025, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed an ex parte
application seeking an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the
property, alleging that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.
On November 28, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, granted
the interim forfeiture order 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, Sufyan Ibrahim Ahmad, counsel to the CCB, informed the court that the processes had been served on the respondent and that proof of service was before the court.
However, 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.
He 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. Ahmad
replied in the negative, adding that he was not aware whether the deceased left
a will.
Consequently, the court directed the CCB to file an
application seeking leave for substituted service and adjourned the matter to
February 25.
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.
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 “elder friend and business partner”.
On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary
announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc were tendered by
witnesses of Ms Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.
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.
FG FILES CASE AGAINST OZEKHOME
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) filed a three-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026 against
Ozekhome on January 16.
He was to be arraigned before the FCT high court in Maitama
on Monday.
However, when the case was called, Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior
advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court of the decision of the AGF to
take over prosecution of the matter.
According to him, the case is to be prosecuted with “the
highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with
due process of law”.
Oyedepo said the AGF would need time to study the case file.
The case has now been adjourned to February 24 for
arraignment.
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