Property Dispute Heats Up: Herbert Wigwe's 90-Year-Old Father Allegedly Drags Granddaughter to Appeal Court

The legal dispute surrounding the estate of the late former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, has escalated to the Court of Appeal. This follows the dismissal of an application for interim reliefs by the Lagos State High Court.

At the center of the case is Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the 90-year-old father of the late banking executive, who is challenging matters related to the guardianship of his grandchildren and the management of Herbert Wigwe’s properties.

On February 6, 2025, Justice A.O. Adeyemi of the Lagos State High Court (Family/Probate Court) in Ikeja ruled against an application filed by Christian Wigwe and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe. The applicants sought to appoint interim administrators to manage the estate of the late banking mogul.

The legal action, allegedly instigated by Emeka Wigwe, was filed under suit number ID/7735FPM/2024 against several financial institutions, including Access Bank Plc, Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd, and United Securities Ltd. Also named as defendants were Uche Wigwe, Aigboje A.I.G. Imoukhuede, and Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Miss Otutochi Channel Wigwe.

The claimants sought a court order to appoint a panel—including family members and professional firms—to oversee the estate, pending the resolution of the substantive suit.

The High Court ruled against the claimants, stating that their requests were unsustainable, as they closely resembled the final reliefs sought in the substantive case.

However, dissatisfied with the ruling, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and co. filed a notice of appeal on February 13, 2025, arguing that the court failed to differentiate between interim reliefs (meant to preserve the estate) and final reliefs (which determine asset distribution).

They cited Section 24 of the Administration of Estate Law of Lagos State, 2015, which empowers courts to appoint interim administrators when necessary.

Additionally, the appellants challenged a prior guardianship order, claiming it excluded the children’s grandparents without due notice. They argued that their request was simply to be included as co-guardians, not to overturn the existing order.

Another major contention is the court’s denial of a Norwich Pharmacal order, which would have compelled Access Bank and other financial institutions to disclose Herbert Wigwe’s financial holdings. The appellants argue that some assets remain unaccounted for, with the defendants maintaining control without full transparency while probate remains pending.