A London Tribunal has blown the lid off a decades-long secret tied to late Nigerian military leader, General Jeremiah Useni.
According to a First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) ruling, the ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory secretly bought a house in London in 1993, but used a fake identity to conceal the purchase.
The property, located at 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, North London, was registered under the false name “Tali Shani.” Court records reveal that this alias was a nickname Useni had used in the past to mask his activities.
The Legal Battle
The tribunal case — Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome [2025] UKFTT 1090 (PC) — turned into a messy showdown when prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome, SAN attempted to register the house in his name. He claimed the property was gifted to him through a power of attorney and deed in 2021.
But Ozekhome’s bid collapsed after investigators found the alleged owner, “Ms. Tali Shani,” never truly existed. Her supposed identity cards, death certificates, and even claims by a man posing as her “son” were all dismissed as forgeries.
Tribunal’s Verdict
Judge Ewan Paton dismissed both claims, ruling:
Ozekhome had no valid transfer since the supposed grantor (“Shani”) had no real ownership.
“Ms. Shani” was nothing but a fictitious creation.
In a stunning declaration, the tribunal concluded:
“The real purchaser was General Jeremiah Useni using a false name. Both applicants sought to rely on identity theft. Both lose.”
What Happens Now?
The property remains legally in the name “Ms. Tali Shani,” even though the court found she never existed.
Beneficial ownership lies with late General Useni’s estate. Since he died in January 2025 in France, only his lawful representatives can now claim rights.
The Bigger Picture
This ruling shines a harsh light on how Nigerian elites hid foreign assets in the 1990s, using fake identities and offshore deals. It also raises fresh questions about asset concealment, fraud, and estate battles involving Nigeria’s political class.
Stay tuned for updates as more details unfold on this shocking property scandal spanning over 30 years.....
