Fresh controversy emerges over late Herbert Wigwe’s Estate

The ongoing legal battle surrounding the estate of the late Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, has intensified, with his sister, Joyce Wigwe, publicly accusing his longtime associate, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, of manipulating the will and obstructing transparency in legal proceedings.

In a recent interview with TV360, Joyce also raised concerns over the circumstances leading to her brother’s tragic helicopter crash.

Joyce Wigwe detailed a series of irregularities in the handling of Herbert Wigwe’s estate, including an alleged lack of transparency in the reading of the will, unexplained discrepancies in legal filings, and undue influence over key family members.

She claimed that the will was read under questionable circumstances, with crucial family members deliberately excluded.

“It later became clear that discussions about Herbert’s will had been ongoing, but we were only informed in September that a will existed and was going to be read,” she stated.

Joyce further alleged that their 90-year-old father, who was in Austria for medical treatment, was caught off guard when Aig-Imoukhuede sent him a message stating, ‘we’re about to read the will.’ This was the first time the family had been informed of the will’s existence.

Joyce also revealed that when her younger brother, Emeka Wigwe, questioned Aig-Imoukhuede about their exclusion from the proceedings, he received no clear response.

Emeka, deeming the situation highly irregular, refused to participate, insisting that the family deserved proper representation. Despite these objections, the will was read in their absence.

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Upon finally obtaining a copy of the will, Joyce said the family was alarmed by numerous irregularities: “The will was only three pages long, an unusually short document for an estate of Herbert’s magnitude.

“The document referenced a trust but failed to list any assets. There was no detailed breakdown of beneficiaries or supporting legal documents.

An 18-page version of the will was filed in Florida, while only a three-page version was submitted in Nigeria.

“Why wasn’t the full document filed in Nigeria?” Joyce questioned, further revealing that a legal settlement had taken place in Florida, where Betty Blanco—originally named as a personal representative—was paid millions to step aside. The family had not been informed of this transaction.

When the will was later filed in Nigeria, Blanco’s name was removed, and their cousin, Uche Wigwe, was listed instead. The family also discovered that the will had been filed for probate in Lagos, raising further doubts about its authenticity.

Beyond estate disputes, Joyce expressed concerns about the circumstances leading to Herbert Wigwe’s fatal helicopter crash in the U.S. earlier this year.

She questioned why Herbert, who was not a major Super Bowl fan, took the trip and why a company with a history of safety concerns was selected for the travel arrangements.

According to Joyce, Aig-Imoukhuede was responsible for organizing the trip, raising questions about his choice of a charter company previously flagged for negligence.

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“Why was a company with prior safety concerns selected for such an important trip?” she asked.

A key point of contention is the guardianship of Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi. Joyce raised concerns about entrusting the estate’s management to a 25-year-old, arguing that the role requires legal and financial expertise.

She also questioned why Tochi allegedly needed permission to communicate with family members and why Aig-Imoukhuede was reportedly preventing the children from receiving independent advice.

Joyce Wigwe’s interview has sparked widespread online debate, with many questioning the exclusion of immediate family members from critical proceedings and Aig-Imoukhuede’s role in managing the estate.

Social media users have expressed concern over potential manipulation and the lack of transparency.

The family initially requested that legal proceedings remain private to protect Herbert’s children, but their request was denied. Joyce insists that their goal is transparency, not control over Tochi’s inheritance.

She emphasized that given the complexity of the estate, a structured and professional approach is necessary to ensure the children’s financial security.

Earlier reports suggested that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, Herbert’s father, had filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, challenging the distribution of the estate. Joyce refuted these claims, stating that her father’s priority has always been fairness and accountability.

As these allegations unfold, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has yet to release an official statement addressing the accusations. Meanwhile, the legal battle over the late banker’s estate continues, with mounting scrutiny from the public and financial stakeholders alike.

Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, at the age of 57.

The accident occurred near Halloran Springs, California, killing him, his wife Chizoba, their son Chizi, and business associate Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).

The helicopter, an Airbus EC130, was traveling from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, when it crashed under mysterious circumstances. Initial reports suggested poor weather conditions and pilot error, but Joyce Wigwe’s allegations have fueled speculation over possible foul play.