A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in a suit by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) seeking the final forfeiture of a London property allegedly linked to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Gen. Jeremiah Useni.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter on Monday after ruling that the respondents had not been properly served with court processes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/2333/2025, names the administrators and executors of Useni’s estate, along with the property at 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, London NW2 7SX, as respondents.
The CCB, through its counsel, Mr Sufyan Ahmad, is seeking a final forfeiture order on the grounds that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022.
Ahmad told the court that an interim preservation order had been granted on 28 November 2025 and published in a national newspaper, but no party had filed any objection to the proposed forfeiture.
During proceedings, the judge questioned the propriety of service after it emerged that court documents were delivered to the deceased’s daughter, who is not listed as an administrator of the estate.
Justice Nyako held that the service was defective and advised the CCB to apply for substituted service to ensure that all interested parties were properly notified.
The matter was adjourned until 25 February for mention.
According to an affidavit filed by a CCB investigator, the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in the United Kingdom had earlier ruled that the late Useni was the beneficial owner of the property, having acquired it under a fictitious name to conceal his identity. The tribunal reportedly dismissed competing claims, including those linked to Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, after finding that the alleged claimants did not exist.
