Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, father of the late Herbert Wigwe, former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, has refuted claims that he is involved in a legal dispute over his late son’s assets. Recent reports suggested that Pastor Shyngle, who recently turned 90, was demanding 20% of his son’s estate and had filed a caveat at the probate registry, supported by an affidavit from Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, a purported cousin of the deceased, to block the execution of Herbert’s will.
The article alleged that Herbert Wigwe’s will, lodged at the Ikeja Probate Court before his death earlier this year, stipulated that his wealth should be distributed solely among his children. However, in a statement signed by Emeka Wigwe on behalf of the family, the allegations were strongly denied, with the family emphasizing that Pastor Shyngle has never made any such request.
“We, the family of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, wish to address a recent article titled ‘Family Dispute Erupts Over Estate of Late Banking Executive Herbert Wigwe,’” the statement read, referring to the publication of the article on October 13, 2024.
The family condemned the widespread circulation of the false claims across various media outlets, stressing the importance of accuracy in reporting. “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 statement clarified, calling the allegations misleading and entirely false.
The family urged the public to consult the publicly available records at the Probate Registry, which provide an accurate account of the estate. “A simple search would have revealed this truth,” the statement added.
In response to the rumors, the family expressed their focus on healing and unity, emphasizing that they have no desire to engage in a public dispute. They called for a shift in focus to Herbert Wigwe’s legacy as a visionary banker and philanthropist, highlighting his contributions to transforming Access Bank into a national leader and his work through The HOW Foundation, which promoted education and healthcare.
The family also requested a correction from the media outlet responsible for the erroneous report and urged greater diligence in fact-checking future stories.
Herbert Wigwe tragically died on February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash in the United States, alongside his wife Chizoba, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
