The last has not been heard on the involvement of senior lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, on a messy property deal that sullied the image of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Anti-Corruption Committee, Professor Babafemi A. Badejo, has knocked the Federal Government over what he described as a troubling and “deafening” silence surrounding the controversial United Kingdom property dispute involving Ozekhome.
In a message issued on December 31, 2025, Badejo expressed concern that months after the Federal Government publicly announced investigations into the matter, there has been no clear update, visible progress, or credible timeline on the outcome of the probe, warning that the prolonged silence risks undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight and damages the country’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Political Economist NG recalls that controversy arose from a ruling delivered on September 11, 2025, by Judge Ewan Paton of the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in a case involving ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London.
The tribunal examined competing claims to the property allegedly linked to a person identified as “Tali Shani” and Chief Mike Ozekhome. In its ruling, the tribunal dismissed all claims before it, concluding that neither “Mr. Tali Shani” nor “Ms. Tali Shani” existed and that the documents tendered in support of the claims were forged. The judge described the matter as a web of impersonation, fraudulent representations, and fake identity documents, ultimately linking the property to the estate of the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Political Economist NG reports that the UK judgment raised serious concerns in Nigeria, particularly regarding alleged forgery, identity manipulation, and possible abuse of Nigeria’s national identity and documentation systems, including passports and National Identification Numbers. Following public outcry, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced in October 2025 that the Federal Government had ordered a probe into the matter, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission also confirmed it had commenced investigations.
Professor Badejo was miffed that nearly three months later, there has been no official report, interim briefing, or explanation offered to the Nigerian public on the status of the investigation. According to him, this silence contradicts the principles of transparency and accountability that should guide high-profile anti-corruption cases, especially those involving senior members of the legal profession. He warned that failure to communicate progress fuels suspicion of selective justice and weakens public trust in institutions meant to uphold the rule of law.
Badejo further disclosed that the NBA Anti-Corruption Committee had formally offered technical cooperation to support the investigation, including the involvement of experienced legal and anti-corruption experts, but said the offer was not taken up. He described this as a missed opportunity to demonstrate seriousness and restore confidence in the integrity of the investigative process.
The NBA Anti-Corruption Committee chairman stressed that the Ozekhome UK property case represents a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, particularly when allegations touch influential individuals. He warned that allowing such cases to fade into silence sends the wrong signal to citizens and the international community, especially at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen its anti-corruption credentials.
As of December 31, 2025, there has been no fresh public response from the Federal Government, the ICPC, or Chief Mike Ozekhome regarding the status of the investigation. The continued silence has intensified debate within legal and civil society circles, with growing calls for clarity, transparency, and decisive action to either clear the air or hold those responsible accountable in line with the law.
