By Abiola Olawale
Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, has officially denied the existence of any dispute regarding his son’s assets.
In an official statement released by the family, it was clarified that Pastor Wigwe did not make any claims for 20 per cent of Herbert’s estate.
It would be recalled that reports emerged suggesting that the alleged contentious issues revolve around the distribution of Wigwe’s substantial assets, including his shares in Access Holdings, properties in multiple countries, and various investments.
Family members were accused of contesting the appointment of trustees and beneficiaries which the late Wigwe reportedly outlined in the will, further complicating the already fraught situation.
According to the reports, Wigwe’s parents have reportedly filed a caveat at the Probate Registry.
However, in a statement signed by Emeka Wigwe, the family has expressed deep concern about the pervasive spread of misinformation across social and national media platforms.
They described the report as false and inaccurate.
The statement partly reads: “This article has unfortunately spread widely across social and national media. While we recognize the role of the press in sharing news, such reports must be based on truth and accuracy.
“To clarify, at no point has Pastor Shyngle Wigwe requested 20% of the estate of the late Herbert Wigwe. Neither has there been any such request by other family members.
“The article’s claim that this demand contradicts Herbert’s will is entirely false and misleading. The facts regarding the estate are already publicly available in the Probate Registry, where an affidavit clearly outlines the correct details. A simple search by your reporters would have revealed this truth.
“During this painful time of grief, our family remains united, focusing on healing and growing stronger together. We have no intention of engaging in a public defence because there are no sides to take. The only truth is that we are navigating this immense loss and will continue to do so with dignity.
“Herbert Wigwe’s legacy as a visionary banker and entrepreneur is what should be remembered. He transformed Access Bank into a national leader and devoted himself to empowering others through initiatives like The HOW Foundation, which focused on education and healthcare. These are the values that define his life and should be the focus, rather than unfounded speculation.”
“We respectfully urge your publication to correct the inaccuracies in the report and to exercise greater diligence in fact-checking future stories.”
It would be recalled that Herbet Wigwe died along with his wife, Chizoba, their son, Chizi, a former Chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the pilot and co-pilot, in a Di Airbus Helicopter EC 130B4 with registration number N130CZ, near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9.
He was buried in his Omueke hometown in Isiokpo, Rivers State, alongside his wife and son, Chizoba and Chizi, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
