Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted the final forfeiture of a property in the United Kingdom connected to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni, to the Federal Government.
The ruling followed a motion filed by counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Sufyan Ahmad, who argued that the property, located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, Neasden, London NW2 7SX, was likely purchased with proceeds of unlawful activity. The court found the motion meritorious and approved the forfeiture.
Ahmad explained that the court had both inherent and statutory authority under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 and relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to grant such relief. An interim preservation order had previously been issued on November 20, 2025, and notices were published to allow any interested party to challenge the forfeiture. No one came forward to contest the order.
A CCB investigator, Raji Rasaq, confirmed that the bureau conducted a net worth analysis of Useni using his declared income and remuneration records from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The review showed that his income was insufficient to account for the property, which had been purchased under a fictitious name.
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in the UK, in suit number REF/2023/0155, confirmed Useni as the true owner of the property and ruled that the use of an alias was meant to conceal ownership. Competing claims from individuals identified as “Ms Tali Shani” and Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome were dismissed, with the tribunal ruling that the documents supporting the Shani claim were fraudulent and that neither claimant legally existed.
Justice Nyako’s order finalizes the forfeiture, ensuring the property is transferred to the Federal Government in accordance with the law.
