In a revealing interview with TV360 Exclusive, Joyce Wigwe, the elder sister of the late Herbert Wigwe, has accused Herbert’s close friend and business associate, Aigboje Imoukhuede, of obstructing her family’s access to Herbert’s children and impeding transparent management of his estate.
Background on Herbert Wigwe’s Tragic Demise
Herbert Wigwe, born on August 15, 1966, in Ibadan, Oyo State, was a prominent Nigerian banker and businessman who served as the Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s foremost banking institutions. On February 9, 2024, Herbert, along with his wife Doreen and their 29-year-old son Chizi, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California.
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The ill-fated journey, en route from Palm Springs International Airport to Boulder City, Nevada for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, also claimed the lives of former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two crew members.
Estate Dispute and Family Feud
Following Herbert’s death, a legal dispute emerged over the administration of his considerable estate. In November 2024, Herbert’s father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, and cousin Christian Chukwuka Wigwe filed a motion seeking the appointment of interim administrators, citing concerns over potential mismanagement and calling for oversight of the guardianship of Herbert’s minor children.
However, in February 2025, the Lagos State High Court dismissed the motion, ruling that the claimants lacked the legal standing to intervene, as they were not named beneficiaries in Herbert’s will.
The court upheld the will’s provisions, which appointed Herbert’s cousin, Uche Wigwe, and his business partner, Aigboje Imoukhuede, as trustees and personal representatives, affirming the existing guardianship arrangement for his minor children.
Allegations of Exclusion and Secrecy
In her candid interview, Joyce Wigwe recounted how tensions became immediately apparent during Herbert’s funeral. According to her account, Aigboje Imoukhuede and his wife strategically positioned themselves around the children, effectively barring other family members from getting close to Herbert’s offspring.
“It was obvious from the funeral that Ike and his wife kept flanking the kids and would not let us get close to the kids,” Joyce recalled, referring to Imoukhuede by his nickname, “Ike.”
Joyce further alleged that confidential meetings were held between her father and Imoukhuede—meetings from which other family members were deliberately excluded. During these sessions, which were accompanied by Imoukhuede’s lawyer, identified as Pairo, documents related to Herbert’s estate were presented for her father’s signature.
Joyce expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that every request by the family for copies of the signed documents was met with evasive excuses from the lawyer, who repeatedly claimed he was “travelling” and would return with the paperwork.
Despite these conflicts, Joyce stressed that the family has always maintained a close relationship with Herbert’s children. Her niece, Tochi, had even chosen to work with her grandfather on the estate.
“She said she wants to work with her grandfather on this thing,” Joyce stated, emphasizing the importance of keeping records of any documents signed—a reminder she had personally given her niece in their last conversation.
Family Dynamics and Reflections
The unfolding dispute highlights deep-seated tensions within the family. Joyce expressed dismay at the situation, remarking, “I don’t know where to start… from when Herbert passed on or not… we didn’t realise there was a disagreement.”
She recalled that their father had been reassured by Herbert’s friends, including those close to Imoukhuede’s family—friends who were once considered part of the family circle—only for the dynamics to shift drastically during and after the funeral.
These revelations shed light on the complexities surrounding the management of Herbert Wigwe’s estate and underscore the challenges his immediate family faces in maintaining a meaningful relationship with his children.
As the legal and familial battles continue, the case remains a poignant reminder of the often intricate intersection between family loyalties and business interests.