UK Tribunal Dismisses Ownership Claims Over Late Gen. Useni’s London Property

By Babatunji Wusu

• Case involved f%rgery, false identities, and fabricated de@ths
• Ozekhome, Shani family claims ruled invalid
• Tribunal confirms late Gen. Jeremiah Useni bought the house in 1993

A UK property tribunal has dismissed competing claims to a London residence after uncovering a complex web of f%rgery, false identities, and fabricated de@ths tied to late Nigerian General Jeremiah Useni.

The dispute centered on 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, where both “Mr” and “Ms” Tali Shani sought ownership. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome also staked a claim, alleging the property was gifted to him in 2021 by “Mr Shani” as payment for legal services.

However, Tribunal Judge Ewan Paton ruled that neither Ozekhome nor the Shanis had a valid claim. He concluded that Useni, a former FCT Minister and Abacha-era military strongman who died in January 2025, was the true owner, having purchased the property in 1993.