London tribunal discovers that former Nigerian FCT minister bought UK property using false name

NIGERIA's former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Lt General Jeremiah Useni has been exposed by a London property tribunal for purchasing a house in the UK in 1993 using a false identity.

Last week, a London property tribunal disclosed how the late General Useni created a fictitious identity decades ago to conceal his purchase of a house at 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, North London. Shared on social media by Adam Wren, a director of Open Justice UK, the ruling  also thwarted a move to transfer ownership of the property to Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria.

In its judgement, the First Tier Tribunal or Property Chamber ruled against both parties in the case Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome case after finding that the alleged former owner Ms Tali Shani was a fictitious identity. Apparently, the tribunal found that General Useni, who died in France in January 2025, bought the property in November 1993 but registered it under the false name Tali Shani, echoing a nickname he had used before.                         

Rental income records later traced back to him confirmed his control of the asset for years. A dispute erupted after Mr Ozekhome applied in 2021 to register the house in his name, claiming it had been transferred to him through a power of attorney and a signed deed

However, his application was challenged by representatives of the supposed Ms Shani, who claimed to be the true owner. Upon investigation, the court established that Ms. Shani never appeared in person, her identity documents were fabricated and even her reported death in October 2024 was supported by forged paperwork.

Her alleged son, Ayodele Damola, also failed to convince the tribunal of any legitimate claim. Judge Ewan Paton dismissed both sides’ cases, ruling that Mr Ozekhome could not have acquired ownership through a fraudulent transfer and that Ms Shani never had any real existence.

Then, the tribunal concluded that the property legally remains in the name of Ms Tali Shani, despite the court’s finding that she was a fictitious creation. It stated that the real purchaser was General Jeremiah Useni using a false name.

“Both original applicants sought to rely on identity theft. Both lose and their cases are dismissed,” the tribunal ruled. This  ruling leaves the property in legal limbo, stuck in the name of a non-existent woman, with no clear path to transfer of ownership following General Useni’s death.