The battle over the estate of Herbert Wigwe, the late CEO of Access Bank, has taken a dramatic turn as his sister, Dr. Joyce Wigwe, publicly accused Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede of attempting to manipulate Herbert’s will and obstruct transparency in legal proceedings.
In a recent interview with TV360, Joyce Wigwe not only questioned the validity of her brother’s estate distribution but also hinted at possible foul play in the circumstances leading up to his tragic helicopter crash in the United States.
Allegations of a Secretive Will Reading
Joyce Wigwe expressed concerns over what she described as an unusual and secretive reading of Herbert Wigwe’s will, alleging that key family members were deliberately excluded from the process.
•She claimed that the family was only informed in September that a will even existed, despite discussions about its contents having taken place much earlier.
•She further alleged that Aig-Imoukhuede arranged for their 90-year-old father to be abroad in Austria for medical treatment just before the will was read, preventing him from attending.
•According to Joyce, their father received a sudden message from Aig-Imoukhuede stating, “We’re about to read the will.” This shocked the family, as they had never been informed of the will’s existence prior to this moment.
Her younger brother, Emeka Wigwe, also raised concerns when he found out that both he and Joyce had been left out of the reading. When he questioned Aig-Imoukhuede, he reportedly received no clear response. Emeka refused to participate, believing that the family deserved proper representation. Despite objections, the will was read in their absence.
Discrepancies in Herbert Wigwe’s Will
Upon obtaining a copy of the will through legal channels, Joyce Wigwe said the family was shocked by numerous irregularities.
•The will was only three pages long, which she described as highly unusual for an estate of this size.
•It referenced a trust but failed to list any trust assets, provided no detailed breakdown of beneficiaries, and lacked supporting documents.
•An 18-page version of the will was discovered in Florida, while only a three-page version was submitted in Nigeria.
“Why wasn’t the full document filed in Nigeria?” Joyce questioned.
Further investigation uncovered a legal settlement in Florida, where Betty Blanco, originally named as a personal representative, was paid millions of dollars to step aside. The family was never informed of this payout.
•When the will was later filed in Nigeria, Blanco’s name was removed, and their cousin, Uche Wigwe, was placed in charge instead.
•Joyce also revealed that the will had been filed for probate in Lagos, raising even more concerns about its authenticity and completeness.
•She questioned why, if Herbert Wigwe intended for the will to be applied globally, it wasn’t officially lodged in Lagos, where he was primarily domiciled.
Suspicion Over Herbert Wigwe’s Death
Beyond the estate dispute, Joyce Wigwe also raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding her brother’s death.
•She pointed out that Herbert Wigwe was never a major Super Bowl fan and questioned why he decided to take that particular trip.
•According to Joyce, Aig-Imoukhuede organized the trip and selected a company that had previously been flagged for negligence.
•She demanded to know why a company with a history of safety concerns was used for the fatal helicopter journey.
“We understand that Aig-Imoukhuede was responsible for organizing the trip. Why did he select a company that had already been flagged for negligence?”
Concerns Over Guardianship and Estate Management
One of the most contentious issues in the dispute is the guardianship of Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi, and the management of his estate.
•Joyce Wigwe strongly opposed the decision to entrust the estate’s management to a 25-year-old, arguing that such a role requires significant legal and financial expertise.
•She claimed that Tochi now requires permission to even speak to family members, raising concerns about potential external influence.
•She questioned why, if Aig-Imoukhuede genuinely cared about Herbert’s children, he was preventing them from receiving proper guidance and support.
Public Reactions and Online Debate
The revelations from Dr. Joyce Wigwe have sparked intense public debate and social media discussions. Many questioned the circumstances surrounding Herbert Wigwe’s estate and the alleged exclusion of immediate family members.
•A Twitter user, @Uchekc, criticized the situation, stating:
“The Tochi of a girl is being manipulated against her family members. This interview is mind-blowing. Why are the minors being kept away from their immediate relatives? What is Aig-Imoukhuede hiding?”
•Another commenter, @judeumeh5390, argued that the Wigwe family should be managing the estate, not outsiders:
“This woman and her parents are absolutely right. The family is more than capable of handling this situation better than any outsider.”
•@drtrishmd praised Joyce for speaking out, saying:
“Thank you for shedding light on this issue. Joyce is asking the right questions. May truth prevail.”
•@Bori-e4t raised concerns about Tochi’s sudden change in behavior, implying that external manipulation might be at play:
“Why would a child suddenly turn away from her grandparents? The way Aig-Imoukhuede is handling this situation is highly suspicious.”
What We Know So Far
Earlier reports suggested that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, Herbert’s father, had filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, seeking to challenge the distribution of Herbert’s estate. These reports falsely claimed that he was trying to take a share of the inheritance meant for Herbert’s children.
However, in her interview, Joyce Wigwe strongly refuted these claims, emphasizing that her father’s priority has always been fairness and transparency.
Despite the serious allegations, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has yet to respond publicly to the claims of manipulating Herbert’s will, withholding information, and organizing the trip that led to his death.
Backstory: The Tragic Death of Herbert Wigwe
Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, tragically died 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 his 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.
•Initial reports suggested poor weather conditions and pilot error as contributing factors.
With the ongoing estate battle, allegations of will manipulation, and suspicions surrounding his death, the mystery surrounding Herbert Wigwe’s legacy continues to unfold.
