Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the 90-year-old father of Herbert Wigwe, is in court over his grandchildren’s guardianship and management of properties belonging to the late former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank.
The legal war over the estate of the late Wigwe has moved to the Court of Appeal following the Lagos State High Court’s dismissal of an application for interim reliefs.
On February 6, 2025, Justice A.O. Adeyemi of the Lagos State High Court Family/Probate Court in Ikeja, dismissed the application filed by Christian Wigwe and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, seeking the appointment of interim administrators in the estate of the late former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, according to ThisDay.
The applicants, Christian Wigwe and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe had, in an action allegedly orchestrated by Emeka Wigwe, filed suit number ID/7735FPM/2024 against Access Bank Plc, Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd, and United Securities Ltd.
Also named as defendants under an order dated November 18, 2024, were Uche Wigwe, Aigboje A.I.G. Imoukhuede, and Miss Otutochi Channel Wigwe (Herbert Wigwe’s daughter and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe’s granddaughter), who was joined by an Order of Court.
The claimants sought an order for the appointment of Otutochi Wigwe, Uche Wigwe, Shyngle Wigwe, and two professionals – Zedra Trust Company (Isle of Man), a subsidiary of Zedra Corporate Solutions UK Limited (International Professional), and Pricewaterhouse Coopers Limited (Local Professional) – as interim administrators of Herbert Wigwe’s estate, pending the resolution of the substantive suit.
Additionally, the applicants requested an order placing Wigwe’s minor children (Chituru David Wigwe, Wegu & Hannah Wigwe, and Okachi Great Wigwe) under the joint guardianship of Otutochi Wigwe, Uche Wigwe, Emeka Wigwe, Shyngle Wigwe, and the two professionals, with Shyngle Wigwe overseeing their welfare.
The claimants also sought authorisation for the interim administrators to ensure the maintenance and welfare of Herbert Wigwe’s dependents, liaise with third parties regarding financial or property interests, submit monthly reports to the court, and obtain full disclosure from Access Bank Plc, Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd, and United Securities Ltd regarding shares or financial interests held on behalf of the deceased, per ThisDay.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Adeyemi ruled that the claimants were not entitled to the reliefs sought. In the ruling, the court resolved all issues raised by the applicants and deemed their claims unsustainable. The court held that the requested reliefs were too similar to those raised in a substantive suit.
After Pastor Shyngle Wigwe’s application was dismissed by the Lagos State High Court on Feb. 6, a notice of appeal was reportedly filed and dated on February 13, 2025, BusinessDay reports.
The appellants (Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and co) argue that the court failed to distinguish between interim reliefs—meant to preserve the estate and provide for dependents—and the final reliefs determining the distribution of assets.
They cite Section 24 of the Administration of Estate Law of Lagos State, 2015, which empowers courts to appoint interim administrators where necessary.
Additionally, they challenge the reliance on a prior ex parte guardianship order, contending that it excluded the children’s grandparents without prior notice.
They maintain that their request merely sought to include them as co-guardians rather than overturn the existing order.
The claimants also appeal the denial of a Norwich Pharmacal order, which would have compelled financial institutions, Access Bank and another financial institution to disclose Herbert Wigwe’s financial holdings.
They argue that, with probate pending, certain assets remain unaccounted for and under the control of the defendants without full transparency.
Recall that 57-year-old Herbert Wigwe was among six people who lost their lives on February 9, 2024, when the Eurocopter EC130 they were travelling in crashed near Nipton, California. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of his wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, his 29-year-old son, Chizi Wigwe, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members.
Recall that 57-year-old Herbert Wigwe was among six people who lost their lives on February 9, 2024, when the Eurocopter EC130 they were travelling in crashed near Nipton, California. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of his wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, his 29-year-old son, Chizi Wigwe, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members.