An appeal has been filed challenging a ruling by the Lagos State High Court in the ongoing legal battle over the estate of the late former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe.

The appellants, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, father of the deceased, and Christian Wigwe, his cousin, are contesting the decision delivered on February 6, 2025, by Justice Olayinka Adeyemi. They argue that the judge erred in refusing their request for interim relief pending the resolution of the main case.

In a notice of appeal dated February 13, 2025, the appellants outlined ten grounds of appeal, contending that the trial judge wrongly concluded that the interim reliefs sought were identical to the substantive reliefs in the main suit.

According to them, the interim reliefs were solely intended to preserve the estate and ensure the welfare of Herbert Wigwe’s minor children until the dispute over his will is resolved. In contrast, the substantive relief seeks the formal administration and distribution of the estate.

They further argued that:

• The refusal to grant preservative reliefs has left the estate vulnerable to dissipation before a final judgment.
• The trial court failed to appoint interim administrators despite acknowledging the dispute over the will, contrary to Section 24(1) of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, 1959, which allows for such appointments in cases of contested inheritance.
• The absence of interim guardianship arrangements has deprived the grandparents of the opportunity to be involved in the care of the deceased’s minor children.

The appellants also challenged a magistrates’ court ruling that granted full guardianship of the minor children to their eldest sibling, 25-year-old Otutochi Wigwe, stating that the decision was made without notifying the grandparents.

However, they clarified that their appeal is not an attempt to overturn the magistrates’ court ruling but to include the grandparents as co-guardians, ensuring they can participate in the children’s welfare.

The legal dispute over Wigwe’s estate is expected to intensify as the appeal progresses through the courts.