An appeal has been lodged to challenge a ruling by the Lagos State High Court in the ongoing legal battle over the estate of the late Herbert Wigwe, former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank.
The appellants, Shyngle Wigwe (the late banker’s father) and Christian Wigwe (his cousin), are contesting a February 6, 2025, decision by Justice Olayinka Adeyemi. The appellants argue that the trial judge made an error by denying their request for interim relief pending the resolution of the primary suit.
In their notice of appeal, filed on February 13, 2025, the appellants outlined 10 grounds for contesting the ruling. They contend that the trial judge incorrectly found that the reliefs sought in their interlocutory application were essentially the same as those in the main suit.
The appellants further emphasized that the interim reliefs they sought were designed solely to preserve the estate and ensure the welfare of the late Wigwe’s minor children until the will dispute is resolved. They argue that the final reliefs, in contrast, are concerned with the administration and distribution of the assets. The appellants highlighted a crucial distinction between preserving the estate during litigation and settling inheritance matters.
According to the appellants, the refusal to grant preservative reliefs has left the estate exposed to potential dissipation before a final decision is reached. They also claim that the trial court failed to appoint interim administrators, despite acknowledging the ongoing dispute over the validity of the will. This failure, the appellants argue, violates Section 24(1) of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, 1959, which allows for the appointment of administrators in such situations.
The appellants also argued that the court’s refusal to appoint interim guardians for the deceased’s minor children has prevented the grandparents from temporarily participating in the children’s care. The appellants clarified that their application is not intended to overturn a prior magistrate’s decision granting full guardianship of the children to their eldest sibling, Otutochi Wigwe, but rather to ensure the grandparents’ involvement as co-guardians to help support the children’s welfare.
The appeal is a critical development in the ongoing dispute over Herbert Wigwe’s estate, with significant implications for the handling of his assets and the care of his minor children.
