The Probate Registry of the Lagos High Court has asked Christian Chukwuka Wigwe to enter an appearance within eight days over a caveat he entered regarding the estate of his “cousin’ the late Access Bank Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe.
Christian is seeking to challenge the distribution of the late Wigwe’s estate as outlined in his will.
The registry directed the caveator to enter an appearance within eight days either in person or through his lawyer over his interest in the estate.
In Probate Form 7, the Registry directed Christian to set forth his interest.
The court stated that if he has no contrary interest but wishes to show cause against the sealing of a grant of probate, he should issue and serve a summons for direction by the Registrar.
“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.
The warning notice was at the instance of Mr. Uchechukwu N. Wigwe (the warning party), appointed as personal representative of the estate of the deceased in his will dated July 9, 2013.
Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Herbert Wigwe, had denied reports that he was fighting over his late son’s property.
The caveat was said to have been allegedly filed under the direction of Pastor Wigwe, and supported by an affidavit by Christian Wigwe, who claims to be Herbert’s cousin.
A report (not TheNigeriaLawyer) claimed that the father and family allegedly requested 20 per cent of Herbert’s estate.
This, it was learnt, is contrary to Herbert’s will, which stipulates that his wealth be distributed solely among his children.
The will was lodged at the Ikeja Probate Court before Herbert’s passing.
But the father, in a statement by Mr Emeka Wigwe for the family, maintained that at no point did he request 20 per cent of his late son’s estate.
Wigwe, along with his wife and son, was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert near the California-Nevada border in the United States on February 9.
Former group chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, also died in the crash.
The chartered helicopter was on its way from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada when it went down about 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas.