A property ownership battle involving prominent Nigerian figures has surfaced in the United Kingdom, where a First-Tier Tribunal is probing the disputed transfer of a London home.
The case, Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, centres on allegations of forgery, impersonation, and fraud over a house at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2. At the heart of the dispute are two names well-known in Nigeria: General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha; and Chief Mike Ozekhome, a prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The applicant, identified as “Tali Shani,” claims she never authorised the transfer of the London property, but her very existence is in doubt. Ozekhome, the respondent, insists that Shani never existed or was not competent to sell the house, while those claiming to represent her argue she is real and was defrauded of the London property. In 2021, the property at 79 Randall Avenue was formally transferred into Ozekhome’s name.
79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 (from Instant Streetview)
The Tribunal record shows that he became the registered legal owner after a transaction was lodged with HM Land Registry. The current proceedings challenge that registration: the applicant’s side (under the name “Tali Shani”) wants the register altered, effectively removing Ozekhome.
The Jeremiah Useni Connection
The late General Jeremiah Useni was said to have acted as an “agent” for the mysterious Tali Shani in earlier transactions relating to the London house. Useni’s role, according to documents shown at the Tribunal, was to help manage or facilitate property matters on her behalf. But the problem is this: Useni himself is now deceased, having died in June 2024, and cannot give evidence to confirm or deny his role.
That leaves the Tribunal struggling to make sense of whether he genuinely represented Shani or whether his name was used to give legitimacy to questionable documents. Useni likely paid for the property under a pseudonym.
The Mysterious Tali Shani
The biggest mystery of the case is the person of Tali Shani. Ozekhome’s position is that no such person exists—or if she did exist, she was never the rightful owner of the London property. He argues that the entire claim is built on forgeries and fabrications.
On the other hand, the people bringing the claim in Shani’s name insist that she is real and that she has been the victim of impersonation. They argue she never sold the house, never authorised any transfer, and is now fighting to reclaim her property rights.
Since “Tali Shani” herself is mysterious, she did not appear in person. Instead, the case has been run in her name through documents and legal submissions. The Tribunal questioned whether there was ever a real “Tali Shani,” or whether her identity was fabricated to mount this challenge.
A Question of Documents
The Applicant's side (claiming to represent “Tali Shani”) produced the following items to the Tribunal:
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A Nigerian passport in Shani’s name
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A purported Power of Attorney
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A Nigerian National Identity Number (NIN) slip
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A mobile phone bill
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And a death certificate
But almost all of these documents are being challenged. Ozekhome’s legal team describes them as forged or suspicious, while the Tribunal Judge, Ewan Paton, noted serious gaps and inconsistencies. The Tribunal Judge, Ewan Paton, noted serious inconsistencies:
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Shani’s name did not appear on the 1993 documents, when the house was first bought, as the purchaser.
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Crucial ownership links were missing.
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Some documents, such as the death certificate, raised suspicions of forgery.
The absence of clear family testimony or uncontested records deepens the suspicion that “Tali Shani” may be a fictitious identity created to make property claims in the UK.
Where the Case Stands
The Tribunal has not yet decided whether Ozekhome will keep the property. Instead, it has asked for further evidence to prove whether “Tali Shani” is real and whether she had any rights over the London home.
If it turns out that she never existed, the case could be thrown out as frivolous or abusive of process. But if the Tribunal finds that she did exist and was the true owner, Ozekhome could face losing the house.
Why Nigerians Should Care
This case is more than just a fight over a London property. It touches on Nigeria’s reputation for document fraud, the legacy of powerful figures like Jeremiah Useni, and the international dealings of one of Nigeria’s most famous lawyers. It raises questions about:
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The legacy of Jeremiah Useni, whose name is tied to the disputed documents.
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The reputation of Nigerian official records, with allegations of forged passports, NIN slips, and Powers of Attorney.
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The position of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), a nationally recognised lawyer, who is now fighting to keep property registered in his name.
The Tribunal’s eventual decision will decide whether Ozekhome remains the legal owner, or whether the shadowy “Tali Shani” has her name restored to the register.
