ICYMI: FG to probe UK property controversy involving Ozekhome, Jerry Useni

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the federal government will launch an investigation into the controversy surrounding a property in the United Kingdom.

Named in the property dispute are Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general who is now late.

BACKGROUND

The controversy involves a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.

It 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 the respondent (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. 

‘IT BEARS SADLY ON OUR NOBLE PROFESSION’

Speaking on Monday at a special court session to mark the beginning of the supreme court’s 2025/2026 Legal Year, Fagbemi said the federal government is taking steps to investigate the UK judgment, which he described as “egregious”.

“My Lords, of note is the topical and trending matter that recently struck at the standing of our profession in Nigeria in the eyes of the world and in a way that stands out in recent memory,” the AGF said.

“It bears sadly on the high esteem and integrity that our noble profession commands as a sine qua non for our collective commitment and investment in the legal brand.

“I am referring to the recent decision (11th September 2025) of an English property tribunal, by Judge Ewan Paton.

“It will be remiss of me not to bring such an egregious development to the attention of my lords, in the hope that it is addressed frontally against the backdrop of the hallowed rules that guard and define the finest traditions by which our nobility should be measured.

“It is for this reason that my office has now taken the unusual step of verifying the authenticity of this and often complaints with a view to referring them to the appropriate disciplinary bodies.

“I look forward to receiving the cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Senior Advocates in this regard.”

NBA BACKS MOVE

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Babafemi Badejo, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) anti-corruption committee, said the matter raises “several improprieties that require investigations on the authenticity of the judgment that is widely in circulation, as well as an investigation of the actions of the legal practitioners on the role of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who were mentioned in the said proceedings”.

The committee urged the AGF to refer any erring lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) after the probe.

It also called for inquiries into allegations of fake identity documents used during the case. 

“Investigations into the processes that resulted in the alleged procurement of fake NIN, fraudulent presentation of an MTN number, [and a] fake ECOWAS passport… should lead to the criminal prosecutions of many civil servants who connived with lawyers to tarnish the name of Nigeria,” Badejo said.

“Judge Paton concluded that late Lt. General Jeremiah Useni had acquired the property in a shady manner using a name very similar to the one he used in the 1.9 million pounds case that was decided at the Royal Court of Jersey in the case of Attorney-General v. Useni that was decided in 2022. 

“On the basis of the said decision in the UK, we call on the attorney-general of the federation to enter Nigeria’s interest in the said property towards the possibility of restitution.”

Badejo further warned against the tendency for high-profile corruption cases to be abandoned once public attention wanes. 

“It is hoped that such would not be the case this time around. The credibility and sustainability of the legal sector in Nigeria is at stake,” he added.

The committee also recommended that George Ekpungu, alternate chairman of the national NBA anti-corruption committee; and Bayo Akinlade, chairman of the Ikorodu branch anti-corruption committee; be included in the AGF’s investigative team.