The summary of the case – narrated by the UK Court – is that Late General Jerry Useni was the FCT Minister in 1993.

He bought the disputed UK property (ostensibly) with looted funds but did not want the transaction to be traced back to him.

Hence, he registered the property in the name of an alias he invented, “Tali Shani”.

Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and General Useni were friends. Ozekhome was also lawyer to Useni, hence, he (Ozekhome) knew about Useni’s property holdings.

There was an undisputed lawyer-client relationship between Ozekhome and Useni.

Recently, Chief Ozekhome attempted to register the UK property in his name. Chief Ozekhome explained – under oath – that the property was owned by one Mr. Tali Shani, who is also his client.

Ozekhome alleged under oath that Mr. Shani had transferred the property to him as gratitude for “legal services” rendered by Chief Ozekhome to Mr. Tali Shani.

However, his application to register the property was challenged by one Ms. Tali Shani who claimed that she was the Girlfriend to General Useni, and that Useni bought the property for her in 1993. She claimed that Chief Ozekhome “was trying to steal her property”.

The case went to court. Ms. Tali Shani never showed up in court. Her case was fought by her Nigerian lawyers – who forged several documents to prove her existence. During the case, she mysteriously died just when the Court was very insistent that she must testify via video evidence to prove her identity.

Chief Mike Ozekhome brought a man who identified himself as Mr. Tali Shani to give evidence, but his testimony was inconsistent. Ozekhome’s witness could not explain how he found 200k Pounds to buy the property at just 20 years old in 1993.

Chief Ozekhome also invited his friend, General Useni to testify on his behalf. Useni was already very old at this time, but clearly testified that he was indeed the owner of the property, and that he did not know who Mr. Tali Shani or Ms Tali Shani was. He also claimed that he did not understand why anyone was trying to steal his property. General Useni died shortly after of old age.

The UK Court held that everybody was lying in this case, except General Useni. The Court found that Ms. Tali Shani was non-existent, and a fabrication conjured by the Nigerian lawyers in this case to steal the property.

The Court held that there was clear evidence that General Useni was capable of buying the house, and did indeed buy the house in 1993, ostensibly using looted funds. There was also evidence that Mike Ozekhome was counsel to General Useni, and that General Useni never authorised the transfer of his property to Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, or any other person.

In summary, the UK Court found that Late General Jerry Useni was not aware that his Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, was trying to take control of his property.

The Court also found that Mr. Tali Shani, the man who gave testimony on behalf of Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, was not the owner of the property, and he had no knowledge of the property. Both Chief Mike Ozekhome and this Mr. Tali Shani admitted under oath that Ozekhome was a lawyer to Mr Tali Shani.

The judgment raises several ethical considerations and potential infractions for Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN who was undisputedly Legal Counsel to both the Late General Jerry Useni and the dubious Mr. Tali Shani. These potential ethical infractions have brought ignominy to both the Nigerian legal profession and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

FULL TIMELINE

16 Nov 1993 – Property registered in the name “Tali Shani”.
Judge later finds the real purchaser was General Jeremiah Useni, who used the false/coined name “Tali Shani” (similar to his known alias “Tim Shani”).

2001–2004 – Rental income from Randall Avenue used alongside another property, linked to General Useni.

2010–2019 – Property managed in London by letting agent Akeem Johnson, instructed by General Useni.

2019 –
The Respondent (Chief Mike Ozekhome) first meets “Mr. Tali Shani” (the man later claiming to be the registered proprietor).
A power of attorney granted by “Mr. Tali Shani” to Ozekhome.

28 May 2020 – Second power of attorney: “Mr. Tali Shani” purports to donate his rights in the property to Ozekhome.

17 Aug 2021 – Transfer executed from “Mr. Tali Shani” to Ozekhome. Box 8 of TR1: “no money or monetary value”.

26 Sep 2022 – Objection filed at Land Registry by solicitors for a supposed “Ms. Tali Shani”, claiming to be the true proprietor.

27 Feb 2023 – Case referred to the Tribunal.

11–12 Jun 2024 – First hearing at Tribunal.
Oral evidence from “Mr. Tali Shani” and General Useni (by video).
Useni states unequivocally: “I owned it…I bought the property…it is my property.”
Applicant (“Ms. Shani”) fails to appear.

Oct 2024 – Documents filed claiming “Ms. Tali Shani” had died on 3 Oct 2024 (judge later finds she never existed; documents were forged).

23 Jan 2025 – General Useni dies in France.

29–30 Jul 2025 – Further Tribunal hearings: evidence from Applicant’s “son” (Ayodele Damola), “cousin” (Anakwe Obasi), solicitor (Efemuai).
2 Sep 2025 – Closing submissions.

Tribunal Decision (2025) –
“Ms. Tali Shani” never existed.
“Mr. Tali Shani” did not buy the property in 1993.
Real purchaser was General Jeremiah Useni (using a false name).
Respondent’s application to register the 2021 transfer rejected.

Credit: Adam Wren &
Equivocator