Herbert Wigwe: Lagos Court orders Christian Wigwe to appear over estate dispute

By Kunle Sanni

The Probate Registry of the Lagos High Court has summoned Christian Chukwuka Wigwe to appear within eight days regarding a legal challenge he has filed over the estate of the late Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank.

Christian, who claims to be Herbert Wigwe’s cousin, is contesting the distribution of the late banker’s estate as outlined in his will.

The court has instructed Christian to either appear in person or through legal representation to present his claim on the estate.

The summons, issued in Probate Form 7, calls on him to formally declare his interest in the matter or provide reasons for opposing the granting of probate, the official process of validating the will.

The dispute centers on the allocation of assets within Herbert Wigwe’s estate, a significant matter given his high-profile status as a former banking executive.

The Probate Registry has clarified that even if Christian Wigwe has no opposing interest, he may still contest the probate process by serving a summons for further court direction.

“Take notice that in default of your so doing, the court may proceed to issue a grant of probate or administration on the said estate notwithstanding your caveat,” the registry stated in a report by The Nation newspaper.

In recent months, there have been controversies within the family, particularly regarding control of the late Herbert Wigwe’s assets.

This case adds a legal dimension to the settlement of Herbert Wigwe’s estate, highlighting the complexities of inheritance disputes in high-profile families.

Last week, Western Post Online reported on an Affidavit of Truth sworn by Christian. In the affidavit, Christian accused Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, a former business partner of the deceased, of assuming indirect guardianship and control of the deceased’s assets and children.

In a court document dated October 7, 2024, Christian alleged that this development has effectively given Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede indirect control over the deceased’s assets without formal accountability to the beneficiaries or dependents of the estate, contrary to the deceased’s purported will.

Background

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and the late Herbert Wigwe were business allies and childhood friends, and co-founders of Access Bank.

They both left GTBank as Executive Directors to take over Access Bank in the early 2000s. Herbert succeeded Aigboje as Group CEO following a Central Bank of Nigeria directive in 2010 that required bank CEOs who had spent more than 10 years in office to step down.

Herbert Wigwe expanded Access Bank’s presence across Africa, making it a larger institution through strategic acquisitions, including Diamond Bank and banks in Kenya and South Africa.

An online publication had earlier reported that Wigwe’s parents filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, challenging the distribution of his estate as outlined in his will.

The caveat was reportedly filed under the direction of Pastor Shyngle and supported by an affidavit from Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, who claims to be Herbert’s cousin.

This legal maneuver aimed to alter the directives set forth by the deceased regarding the administration of his estate.

Pastor Shyngle has denied reports that he was fighting over his late son’s property.

In a statement signed by Emeka Wigwe on behalf of the family, he refuted claims made in the report, stressing that at no point had he requested 20 percent of his late son’s estate.