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Tribunal says Jeremiah Useni used fake identity to buy UK house.
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Ozekhome’s ownership claim dismissed, no valid transfer established.
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Property remains under non-existent “Ms. Shani,” leaving ownership unresolved.
A London property tribunal has revealed that late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni, used a false identity to purchase a house in the United Kingdom over three decades ago.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to the tribunal’s ruling, Useni secretly bought a property at 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, North London, in November 1993 under the fictitious name “Tali Shani.” Evidence presented showed that the nickname had been linked to Useni in the past, while rental income records tied back to him confirmed his control of the asset for years.
The tribunal decision, delivered last week in the case Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome [2025] UKFTT 1090 (PC), was shared on 𝕏 by Adam Wren, director of Open Justice UK. It also blocked a bid by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, to register the property in his name.
Ozekhome had applied in 2021 to claim ownership, arguing that it was transferred to him through a power of attorney and deed of assignment. However, his application was challenged by representatives of the so-called “Ms. Shani,” who insisted she was the true owner.
The tribunal found that “Ms. Shani” never existed. Her identity documents were fabricated, and even her reported death in October 2024 was supported by false paperwork. A man who claimed to be her son, Ayodele Damola, also failed to establish a credible case.
Judge Ewan Paton dismissed both parties’ claims, ruling that Ozekhome could not acquire ownership through a fraudulent transfer, and that “Ms. Shani” had no legal existence.
“The real purchaser was General Jeremiah Useni using a false name,” the tribunal stated. It added that both sides relied on identity fraud, leaving the property legally stuck under the name of a non-existent woman, with no clear ownership path after Useni’s death in January 2025.
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