Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A witness from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has told a court that the name “Tali Shani,” which is central to a disputed London property case linked to prominent Nigerian lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN), does not appear in the service’s official passport database.
The testimony was given by an immigration officer identified as Aridegbe Akim during ongoing proceedings in a case involving allegations surrounding the ownership and control of a high-value property in the United Kingdom. The matter forms part of a broader legal dispute in which questions have been raised about the authenticity of identity documents connected to the transaction.
According to the witness, a search conducted through the Nigeria Immigration Service system did not return any record matching the name “Tali Shani.” The officer’s statement was presented as part of efforts to verify whether the identity used in relation to the property exists within Nigeria’s official travel documentation records.
The absence of any corresponding entry in the immigration database raises further questions about the legitimacy of the passport and identity details linked to the individual in question. Immigration records are typically used to confirm the issuance and validity of Nigerian passports, as well as to track travel history and identity verification data.
The disputed property in London has been at the center of legal scrutiny involving allegations of questionable ownership arrangements and the use of multiple identities. The court is examining whether the documents and identities associated with the transaction are genuine or were created to mask the true beneficiary of the property.
During his testimony, the immigration officer maintained that the Nigeria Immigration Service maintains a centralized database of passport holders, and any legitimately issued passport would ordinarily be traceable through the system. He stated that no such trace exists for the name presented in court.
The development adds a new dimension to the ongoing trial, which has already featured multiple witnesses and documentary evidence aimed at clarifying ownership structures and financial trails linked to the property. The case is being closely followed due to the prominence of individuals connected to it and the broader implications for international asset ownership involving Nigerian nationals.
Legal experts observing the proceedings note that identity verification is often a critical element in property-related disputes, especially where offshore assets are involved. In such cases, inconsistencies in passport or immigration records can significantly influence the direction of judicial findings.
The court is expected to continue examining documentary evidence and witness testimonies in order to establish whether the disputed identity was legitimately issued or fabricated for transactional purposes. Further cross-examination of immigration records and related documents is anticipated in subsequent hearings.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has not issued a separate public statement beyond the courtroom testimony, but officials have consistently maintained that its database is the authoritative source for verifying passport issuance and identity records in the country.
As the trial progresses, attention remains focused on how the court will interpret the absence of official immigration records in relation to the contested identity and what impact this may have on the broader dispute over the London property.
The case continues to draw significant public interest given its intersection of legal practice, international property ownership, and questions surrounding identity verification systems.
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