A court case that began as a seemingly routine attempt to change the ownership of a house in north London has exposed an 'extraordinary' alleged fraud entangling a string of high-profile Nigerians.
The suit was filed by a 'Ms Tali Shani' to contest a 2023 bid by Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome - a prominent barrister and human rights activist - to have the ownership of 79 Randall Avenue in Neasden transferred to him.
Judge Ewan Paton, sitting at the first-tier property chamber tribunal, has now ruled that neither 'Ms Tali Shani' nor Chief Ozekhome could prove they have a right to the semi-detached house.
Instead, he found the real owner was Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general and former government minister who died in January while the court case was still underway.
Judge Paton also concluded that 'Ms Tali Shani' never really existed and identity documents presented in the case had been faked.
