By Imran Khazaly Headlinenews.news
The Federal Government has opened a probe into Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, following a UK Tribunal judgment that struck down his attempt to register ownership of a disputed London property originally linked to the late Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni. Abuja’s intervention marks a turning point in a saga Headlinenews.news first reported, now drawing commendation for its impact in galvanizing oversight where professional bodies like the NBA Ethics Committee remain silent.
UK Tribunal Ruling
In September, Judge Ewan Paton of the UK First-tier Tribunal rejected Ozekhome’s claim to 79 Randall Avenue, London (Title MX117803), finding that the property was purchased in 1993 under the false identity “Tali Shani.” The court ruled the real beneficial owner was Gen. Useni, ordered the Chief Land Registrar to refuse Ozekhome’s application, and branded parts of the evidence “preposterous.” The judgment left it to “other authorities” to determine possible misconduct.
FG’s Decision to Act
The Attorney-General of the Federation has directed a review of the tribunal’s findings, with steps expected to include:
Requesting full judgment records from the UK;
Engaging the EFCC and ICPC to examine potential corruption links;
Invoking Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) with UK authorities to trace asset flows;
Determining whether the property is part of Nigeria’s recoverable looted assets or strictly an estate matter.
Media & Public Scrutiny
Headlinenews.news was the first to spotlight the contradictions in Ozekhome’s claim and the murky title trail, triggering wider debate.
Premium Times emphasized the tribunal’s refusal to recognize either Ozekhome’s or the Useni estate’s registration bid.
Daily Trust exposed Useni’s use of the alias “Tali Shani.”
BusinessDay highlighted the court’s refusal to accept alleged “gifts” as proof of ownership.
ThisDay detailed the collapse of competing claims based on fabricated evidence.
NewsmakersLive traced the phantom ownership web surrounding the case.
Together, this cross-media coverage, amplified by Headlinenews.news’s early reportage, forced Abuja to act.
NBA’s Silence
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the NBA’s Ethics & Privileges Committee has yet to formally act on the matter. Lawyers and civil groups insist that, regardless of FG’s probe, the NBA must examine whether Ozekhome’s professional conduct in the UK case breached ethical obligations.
Analysis: What Abuja’s Probe Means
Asset Recovery Angle: If proven to be proceeds of corruption, Nigeria may file for forfeiture under UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Due Process Imperative: Failure to separate private estate issues from potential looted funds could politicize the probe.
Professional Scrutiny: The FG’s involvement puts renewed pressure on the NBA to act where it has remained quiet.
Symbolism: For many Nigerians, the case is a litmus test for whether Abuja will pursue accountability even when elites are implicated.
Quote From the Judgment
“Neither ‘Tali Shani’ was who they said they were… The real owner, via a false name, was General Jeremiah Useni.” — Judge Ewan Paton, UK Property Tribunal.
Conclusion
By stepping in, the Federal Government has raised the stakes in a high-profile dispute with implications for asset recovery, legal ethics, and public trust. With the NBA Ethics Committee silent, the burden now lies on Abuja to ensure the case is handled transparently, fairly, and without fear or favor.
Headlinenews.news, having provided the earliest and most detailed insight, deserves credit for driving this matter onto the national agenda. The coming weeks will reveal whether the FG’s commendable decision leads to real accountability—or fades into another unresolved scandal.
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
