The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Anti-Corruption Committee, Babafemi Badejo, has described the federal government’s silence on the controversy surrounding a property in the United Kingdom as “damaging and deafening.”
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Badejo stated that the absence of tangible progress and credible interim updates on the probe of the property saga contravenes the principles of transparency and accountability.
The property dispute involves 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 launch an investigation into the property controversy.
In his New Year message, Badejo said in 2025, the committee witnessed significant strides in embedding anti-corruption mechanisms within the legal profession.
He noted that approval by the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) for the establishment of anti-corruption committees at branch level is 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 reads.
“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.”
Badejo stated that while the 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,” he said.
Badejo disclosed that the committee has identified urgent priorities for 2026, including institutional accountability, preventive advocacy, strategic litigation, and policy engagement.
The controversy involves a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
The property dispute was filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
The property had been claimed by one “Ms Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.
Ozekhome had said he received the house as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021, while lawyers for “Ms Shani” insisted she was the rightful owner.
A witness known as “Mr Tali Shani” had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred the property to the respondent.
Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an “elder friend and business partner.”
On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, and phone number, were tendered by witnesses of Ms Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.
The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed. However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms Tali Shani to be fake.
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
“Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers: A Comprehensive Guide”, authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
