UK Court Uncovers Forged Identities, Documents In London Property Battle Linked To Late Gen. Useni, Rejects Ozekhome’s Bid

A long-running ownership battle over a London property has taken a dramatic turn after the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) ruled that the house, registered under the name Tali Shani, in fact belonged to the late Nigerian General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.

The case began with a dispute over 79 Randall Avenue, a modest house in the Brent area of North West London, first purchased in 1993.

The title was registered in the name “Tali Shani,” but over the years, questions emerged about who this person really was and whether the name concealed the true beneficial owner.

The legal clash that unfolded in the Tribunal pitted Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, against individuals claiming to be Tali Shani.

What began as a routine property registration application evolved into a complex tale of false identities, offshore accounts, and high-level Nigerian political intrigue.

False Names and Fabricated Identities

The Tribunal, presided over by Judge Ewan Paton, uncovered that both “Ms. Tali Shani” and “Mr. Tali Shani,” who appeared before it, were not genuine owners of the property. Instead, they were impostors. Evidence presented to the Tribunal suggested that the “Tali Shani” name had been deliberately used as a front.

“(Superintendent Ibrahim Sini) Mr. Sini is a Superintendent for the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force, based in Abuja,” the court document obtained by SaharaReporters said.

“Also acting in response to a complaint and request from the Respondent, his department had carried out investigations into the alleged forgery of the NIN and the “9 Mobile” utility bill stated to be that of Tali Shani at 10 Commercial Road, Jos. On the NIN issue he had relied on the investigations then later conclusions of the NIMC as described above in the evidence of Mr. Esangbedo.

“As to the mobile phone bill, following further enquiries with the telephone company and by his own department, they and he concluded as follows: (i) that the stated billing address of “10 Commercial Road, Jos, Plateau State” does not exist. (ii) that the mobile phone statement provided, with contract number 12010440084 was in fact a postpaid user account in the name of Mohammed Edewor. He is, it will be recalled, the Lagos solicitor to whom Mr. Efemuai has referred as his “instructing solicitor” and at whose offices he said he met his client in August 2024.”

At the heart of the proceedings was Ozekhome’s attempt to establish ownership rights through a purported transaction, while the so-called Shani camp sought to assert entitlement to the property.

Both sides advanced arguments, but the Tribunal consistently questioned the credibility of the evidence, pointing to inconsistencies and the absence of reliable documents.

Jeremiah Useni’s Evidence

The proceedings took a decisive turn when General Jeremiah Useni himself gave oral evidence before the Tribunal in June 2024.

Useni, who once served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under General Sani Abacha, was also a former Senator and an influential military officer. In court, he addressed the property dispute directly, linking his role to the origins of the transaction.

Although he passed away in January 2025, the Tribunal considered his testimony alongside documentary records and findings from courts in Jersey, which had previously revealed Useni’s use of false identities such as “Tim Shani” to conceal offshore assets.

The Tribunal concluded that Useni had been the true purchaser of 79 Randall Avenue in 1993, but had registered the house under the false name “Tali Shani.”

Property Reverts to Useni’s Estate

In its judgment, the Tribunal struck out Ozekhome’s application to register his interest in the house. It also dismissed the claim of the supposed “Tali Shani,” declaring that no such real person existed in relation to the property.

The ruling was unequivocal: the London house belonged to the estate of the late General Useni. The finding tied directly into earlier revelations from Jersey, reinforcing the view that Useni had systematically hidden wealth abroad using false names.

The Tribunal noted the contradictions in Nigerian legal authorities cited during arguments, particularly on issues of double jeopardy and jurisdiction in past proceedings, but ultimately returned to the central question of beneficial ownership. On that score, the conclusion was that the rightful link was to Useni.

The court concluded, “In short, I believe barely a word of the documentary and oral evidence which has been put forward on behalf of the alleged Applicant. I do not accept that “she” was ever a real living person. I do not accept that “she” therefore died, whether in hospital or in a mysterious car accident on the road to Abuja. I certainly do not accept that “she” purchased this property in London in 1993 in her ‘hey days.’”

“I find that a large number of documents in this case have been produced or procured by forgery or deception, including:-- all “identity” documents put forward on behalf of the Applicant.- the Statement of Case and all witness statements said to be made by her.- a plainly fake and fraudulent witness statement, purporting to have been made by General Useni emailed by him directly to the Tribunal.- letters and other communications from alleged doctors at a hospital in Lagos where it was claimed the Applicant was being treated, and from where it was claimed she was about to give video evidence.- her alleged death certificate.- even the supposed notice of her funeral and burial rites produced by Mr. Obasi,” it said.

“It is not possible or necessary for me to make definitive findings on who was ultimately behind the above matters, or precisely how each forgery or fraud was committed.”

“The final outcome of this case, therefore, is that both parties have failed. Neither “Tali Shani” was who they said they were, and neither was the person who purchased this property in 1993. The real owner, via a false name, was General Jeremiah Useni,” the court ruled.

“General Useni is now deceased, so on my findings his title and interest in this property would vest in such persons as obtained a grant of probate or administration in respect of his English assets. Although not strictly bound by my findings (since they were not parties to the case), it is a matter for any such persons, on their own advice, what if any steps they take in this regard.”