TWO tenants making a legal bid to claim ownership of a £1m North Oxford house for free are being bankrolled by Headington man Martin Young, it was revealed in court.

The 67-year-old retired property manager appeared at Oxford County Court yesterday to give evidence to Recorder Alastair Wilson about his research into the estate and legal affairs of the former owner of 17 Warnborough Road, the late Nigerian chief Obasola Atobatele.

Another Nigerian, Abbey Folami, says he is the rightful owner of the six-bedroom property, having bought it from a relative of the chief for £108,000 and £350,000 in land in the west African country.

The 46-year-old is trying to evict tenants Philip Brown and Keiron Halstead.

They, however, have other legal proceedings pending under which they will claim there is no rightful owner, in the hope the property will pass to them, because they have lived there for more than 12 years, under a system called adverse possession.

Mr Brown and Mr Halstead, who have lived at the property since 1987 and 1994 respectively, say that the house was sold by a relative of Chief Atobatele, who did not own it.

Under cross-examination by Mr Folami’s barrister Richard Devereux-Cooke, Mr Young was questioned about his involvement in the case.

When asked whether he was helping the two tenants by giving his time free of charge, the 67-year-old replied: “We have an agreement, where, at the end of the day, we might all benefit, but there’s nothing formal about it.”

Mr Young agreed when Mr Devereux-Cooke put it to him: “Assuming that Mr Brown and Mr Halstead succeed, you have an interest in that success.”

He added: “I would do it anyway, you know. There’s justice to be done here.”

When asked by Mr Devereux-Cooke: “Who is paying for Mr Brown and Mr Cooke to conduct this litigation?”

Mr Young replied: “I am.”

Under cross-examination it also emerged that Mr Young had previously tried to initiate legal proceedings in his own name against Mr Folami at Oxford Magistrates’ Court. However, it was not said at yesterday’s hearing what those proceedings were.

The Recorder was told that the legal action, which was dismissed by magistrates, had landed Mr Young with a bill of £7,408.38 for Mr Folami’s legal costs.

The court also heard Mr Young had made an attempt to represent the estate of Chief Atobatele in the UK.

Mr Devereux-Cooke said: “The problem, Mr Young, is that your involvement became extreme.”

To which Mr Young replied: “Not at all.”

The case continues.