The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a 14-day freeze on a London property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni, a former military-era Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Binta Nyako granted the interim order last Friday following an ex-parte application by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which is tasked with enforcing Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for Public Officers. The bureau alleges that the property, located at 79 Randall Avenue, London, was acquired illegitimately during Useni’s tenure.
The court directed the CCB to publicize the freeze order in a national newspaper during the 14-day period, giving any interested parties the opportunity to prove legitimate ownership. Failure to do so could lead to a final forfeiture order in favor of the Nigerian government, enforceable in UK courts.
This follows a September 11, 2025, ruling by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in London, which uncovered the property’s murky origins. Tribunal Judge Ewan Paton determined that Useni, who passed away in France in January 2025, purchased the £1.2 million home in 1993 under the alias “Philips Bincan” to conceal ownership while holding public office.
The dispute has drawn Nigeria’s legal elite into a high-profile saga. In 2021, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome sought to transfer the property’s title to himself, claiming it was a gift from a supposed Nigerian businessman, Tali Shani. However, investigations revealed forged documents submitted by both parties, including passports, utility bills, and national identification numbers.
The tribunal dismissed the claims of the “Shanis,” noting inconsistencies and fabricated evidence. In a 2024 video testimony before his death, Useni admitted to owning the property and acknowledged using the alias, denying any connection to the Shani claimants. The UK Land Registry was directed to cancel the title transfer to Ozekhome.
The Nigerian government now considers the property for possible forfeiture, citing Useni’s use of a pseudonym to conceal ownership as a violation of the law. The case has sparked national debate, with Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi announcing a federal probe into the matter on September 30, 2025, and warning that erring lawyers, including Ozekhome, could face disciplinary action.
Jeremiah Useni, a key ally of the late dictator Sani Abacha and a 1998 successor contender, remains a symbol of Nigeria’s military-era corruption.
Download the court ruling [here].
