THE federal high court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), late Mr Jeremiah Useni, 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, the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, 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, counsel to the CCB, Mr Sufyan Ibrahim Ahmad, 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, Mr 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.

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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 late Mr Useni’s daughter, on whom the processes were eventually served.

Justice Nyako, however, observed that the court had not granted the CCB leave to effect substituted service.

The judge also asked whether late Mr Useni’s daughter was the legal administrator of his estate or of the property sought to be forfeited. Mr 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.

Context is king

The property is located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. Named in the property dispute, located at 79 Randall Avenue, London (AW2 7SX), are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Mike Ozekhome, and late Mr 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 Mr Ozekhome on the other. Mr 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 witnecss known as ‘Mr Tali Shani’ had testified in favour of Mr Ozekhome, claiming that he had ‘Powers of Attorney’ over the property and had transferred the property to Mr Ozekhome.

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Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed late Mr 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, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of the decision of the AGF to take over prosecution of the matter.

According to him, the case was to be prosecuted with “the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with due process of law.”

Mr Oyedepo said the AGF would need time to study the case file. The case has now been adjourned to February 24 for arraignment.