By Chioma Obinagwam
The Lagos State High Court Probate Registry has issued a legal notice giving Christian Chukwuka Wigwe an 8-day ultimatum to explain his interest in the Estate of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Holding Company, late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe.
This notice follows the latest twist to the ongoing saga surrounding the estate of the late Wigwe, exclusive court documents have revealed a shocking development.
Confiance News learnt that Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, the said late Herbert’s cousin, who had filed a caveat on behalf of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the deceased’s father, to challenge the distribution of his Estate as outlined in his Will, has been officially warned about his involvement in the Estate by the Lagos State High Court.
A part of the notice dated 21st October 2024 addressed to Christian Chukwuka Wigwe reads “To enter an appearance either in person or by your Legal practitioner at the Lagos High Court Probate Registry setting forth what interest you have in the Estate of the above-named deceased, Late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe of No. 11 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, contrary to the interest of the party at whose instance this warning is issued. If you have no contrary interest but wish to show cause against the sealing of a grant to such party to issue and serve a summons for direction by the Registrar of the said registry.”
By this invitation, there is no more hiding behind any affidavit for members of the Wigwe family, who had challenged the implementation of the deceased’s Will.
Last week, Emeka Wigwe, one of the brothers of the late banking guru, Herbert Wigwe issued a statement that said the family stood by the affidavit Christian Chukwuka Wigwe deposed to and was not challenging the beneficiaries of late Herbert Wigwe’s Will.
According to the statement, “The facts regarding the Estate are already publicly available in the Probate Registry, where an affidavit clearly outlines the correct details”. With the notice issued at the instance of Mr. Uchechukwu Wigwe, the appointed personal representative of the Estate of the deceased by virtue of the deceased person’s Will dated July 09, 2013, Christian Chukwuka Wigwe will have to appear at the Court Probate Registry to explain the legal and factual basis for his affidavit.
This is to determine of the relevance of Christian Chukwuka Wigwe’s claim to the enforceability of late Herbert Wigwe’s Will otherwise the caveat will be thrown out and the court will issue a grant of Probate or Administration in the said Estate notwithstanding his caveat.
With the unfolding development, it may be necessary to make an inquest into the real identity of Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, his background, possible relationship and connection to late Herbert Wigwe and his children, the beneficiaries of his Will.
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