The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) anti-corruption committee, Babafemi Badejo, has criticised the federal government’s failure to speak on the controversy surrounding a property in the United Kingdom (UK), describing the silence as “damaging and deafening”.
Badejo said the “absence of tangible process and credible interim updates” in the investigation of the property dispute violates core principles of transparency and accountability”.
The dispute centres on a UK property involving Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and the late Jeremiah Useni, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In October, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, announced that the federal government would initiate a probe into the property matter.
In his New Year message, Badejo noted that in 2025, the committee “witnessed significant strides in embedding anti-corruption mechanisms” within the legal profession.
He described the approval by the NBA national executive committee (NEC) for the creation of anti-corruption committees at branch level as a “pivotal achievement”.
“However, our reflections are tempered by profound concern over developments that threaten to erode public trust in our legal and anti-corruption institutions,” the statement said.
“The protracted and highly publicised corruption cases involving legal practitioners are beyond private legal problems into a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, transparency and realisation of the rule of law.
“In 2025, there was the Tali Shani v. Chief Mike Agbedor Ozekhome case that was decided outside our legal jurisdiction but threw problems in Nigeria, including forgery, identity manipulation that trivializes the relevance of our national identity data system, etc.
“While the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation’s initial announcement of a probe was a necessary first step, the ensuing silence is deafening and damaging.
“The absence of tangible progress, credible interim updates, or a definitive timeline for resolution contravenes the principles of transparency and accountability that underpin Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
“Specifically, it undermines Articles 10, 13, and 33 of UNCAC, which mandate public sector transparency, active civil society participation, and the protection of reporting persons.”
Badejo added that the committee has outlined urgent priorities for 2026, including institutional accountability, preventive advocacy, and strategic litigation and policy engagement.
BACKGROUND
The controversy relates to a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The case was filed before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under reference number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
Ownership of the property was claimed by both “Ms Tali Shani” and Ozekhome.
Ozekhome maintained that he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers representing “Ms Shani” argued that she was the legitimate owner.
A witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, stating that he held “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred it to the respondent.
Tali Shani claimed ownership of the property dating back to 1993 and said he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner”.
Conversely, witnesses for Ms Tali Shani tendered several documents — including an obituary notice, NIN card, ECOWAS passport and phone number — to support her ownership claim.
The tribunal ultimately dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
It further held that all documents presented on behalf of Ms Tali Shani were fake.