Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed a hearing on the final forfeiture of a London property linked to former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, the late Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni, after the judge raised concerns over whether court documents had been lawfully served.
The property—79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX—is sought by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which claims it was bought with the proceeds of unlawful activity.
At Monday’s hearing, CCB lawyer Sufyan Ibrahim Ahmad told Justice Binta Nyako that all court papers had been served and proof filed. However, the judge questioned who had been served and whether proper procedure was followed.
Ahmad explained that attempts to serve documents at Useni’s last known address in Jos failed as no family member was present. People at the residence later directed officials to a law firm in Abuja, which provided an address for Useni’s daughter, who subsequently accepted the papers.
Justice Nyako noted that the court had not granted permission for this type of “substituted service” and asked whether Useni’s daughter was the legal administrator of his estate or had authority over the London property. Ahmad responded that she was not the administrator and said he did not know if the late minister left a will.
The judge then ordered the CCB to file a formal application for substituted service. The case was adjourned until 25 February.
The forfeiture proceedings began in 2025 when the CCB obtained an interim order to seize the property. Justice Nyako had also directed the bureau to publish the order in a newspaper, inviting anyone with a legal interest in the home to come forward.
Separately, the same London address has been the subject of a UK property tribunal case (REF/2023/0155), involving Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome and the late Gen. Useni.
A claimant named “Ms Tali Shani” asserted ownership, while Ozekhome argued the property was gifted to him in 2021 by “Mr Tali Shani,” who claimed to have owned it since 1993 and described Useni as his property manager.
The UK tribunal, however, ruled that documents submitted to support Ms Tali Shani’s claim were falsified, dismissing her case.
