A fierce legal battle has erupted over the estate of the late Access Bank co-founder, Herbert Wigwe, as his 90-year-old father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, and Christian Chukwuka Wigwe have taken his 26-year-old daughter, Otutochi Wigwe, to court
A legal battle has erupted over the estate of the late banking mogul, Herbert Wigwe, as his 90-year-old father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, and a relative, Chukwuka Wigwe, take his 26-year-old daughter, Otutochi Channel Wigwe, to court.
The lawsuit, filed before Justice A.O. Adeyemi at the Lagos State High Court, also lists former Access Bank CEO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Uche Wigwe as defendants. The claimants are requesting the appointment of an administrator to oversee the late banker’s estate.
The Dispute Over Wigwe’s Estate
Reports first surfaced in October 2024, alleging that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe’s family had interests in the late banker’s children’s inheritance and were attempting to alter his will. However, the family denied these claims.
Shortly after, in November, Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, a cousin of the deceased, filed a legal caveat challenging the will, reportedly on behalf of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe. The case has since drawn widespread attention, particularly due to its impact on Herbert Wigwe’s minor children.
During proceedings, the claimants’ counsel, A.O. Eghobamien SAN, requested that the matter be heard privately, citing the involvement of minors under Section 128 of the Child Rights Law, 2007. However, the defendants, represented by Paul Usoro SAN, objected, leading the court to hear the case publicly.
On February 6, 2025, Justice Adeyemi ruled against the request by Christian Wigwe and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe for the appointment of interim estate administrators, stating that the reliefs sought were too similar to those in the main suit.
Family Appeals Court Decision
Following their loss, Pastor Wigwe and others have taken their case to the Appeal Court, filing a notice of appeal on February 13, 2025.
Their appeal argues that the High Court failed to differentiate between interim reliefs, meant to preserve the estate for dependents, and final reliefs determining asset distribution. They cited Section 24 of the Administration of Estate Law of Lagos State, 2015, which grants courts the power to appoint interim administrators when necessary.
Additionally, the appellants are challenging the court’s reliance on a previous guardianship order, arguing that it excluded the children’s grandparents without prior notice. They insist they merely sought co-guardianship, not to overturn existing arrangements.
The appeal also protests the court’s denial of a Norwich Pharmacal order, which would have compelled financial institutions, including Access Bank, to disclose Herbert Wigwe’s financial holdings. The appellants claim that, with probate still pending, certain assets remain unaccounted for and under the control of the defendants without full transparency.
Tragic Death of Herbert Wigwe
Herbert Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank, was among six people killed on February 9, 2024, when their Eurocopter EC130 crashed near Nipton, California, USA. Also on board were his wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, their 29-year-old son, Chizi Wigwe, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members. The group was en route from Palm Springs International Airport to Boulder City, Nevada, for the Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
The remains of Wigwe and his family were repatriated to Nigeria, where they were laid to rest in Isiokpo, Rivers State, on March 9, 2024. A week-long wake in Lagos was attended by prominent figures, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who pledged to rename the road leading to his oil refinery in Wigwe’s honor.
Wigwe, who co-founded Access Bank in 1989, played a key role in making it Nigeria’s largest bank following its acquisition of Diamond Bank in 2018. In his final years, he focused on expanding the bank across Africa, securing operations in Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana, with plans to launch banking services in Asia in early 2024.
Join our Channel...