The ongoing legal battle over the estate of the late Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, has escalated to the Court of Appeal following the dismissal of an application for interim reliefs by the Lagos State High Court.
Herbert Wigwe’s 90-year-old father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, had filed an application seeking to be appointed as an interim administrator of his late son’s estate.
His request also included the appointment of Otutochi Wigwe (Herbert Wigwe’s eldest daughter), Uche Wigwe (Herbert’s brother), and two professional firms—Zee’s Trust Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited—as joint estate managers.
Additionally, Pastor Wigwe sought joint guardianship of his late son’s minor children to oversee their welfare.
However, Justice A.O. Adeyemi of the Lagos State High Court Family/Probate Court in Ikeja dismissed the application on February 6, 2025.
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The judge ruled that Pastor Wigwe was not entitled to the reliefs sought, particularly because a previous judgment had already appointed Otutochi Wigwe as the legal guardian of the deceased’s minor children.
The court also found that the claims raised by Pastor Wigwe and his co-applicants overlapped with issues already being addressed in an ongoing substantive suit.
Following the court’s decision, a notice of appeal was filed on February 13, 2025, by Pastor Wigwe and his co-appellants.
They argue that the lower court failed to differentiate between interim reliefs—intended to preserve the estate and provide for dependents—and final reliefs concerning the distribution of assets.
They cite Section 24 of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, 2015, which empowers courts to appoint interim administrators when necessary.
The legal dispute has also drawn attention to broader concerns about the management of Herbert Wigwe’s estate.
There are allegations that former Access Bank CEO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has assumed indirect control over the deceased’s assets, influencing key family members and limiting Pastor Wigwe’s role in the grandchildren’s lives.
Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the validity of Herbert Wigwe’s 2013 will, particularly whether it applies to his Nigerian assets, as it was drafted in the United States.
Meanwhile, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe has denied claims of a family rift over the estate, insisting that reports suggesting he demanded 20% of the inheritance are false. He maintains that the family remains united and focused on healing after the tragic loss of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and their son.
As the case moves to the Court of Appeal, the outcome could significantly impact the administration of the late banking executive’s estate and the guardianship of his minor children.
