Joyce Wigwe, the elder sister of the late Herbert Wigwe, has spoken out about the ongoing legal dispute regarding access to her late brother’s children and the administration of his estate. In an exclusive interview with TV360, Joyce explained that the feud was not with her brother’s children but with Aigboje AIG Imoukhuede, Herbert’s close business associate and friend.
“I don’t know where to start… from when Herbert passed on or not… we didn’t realize there was a disagreement,” Joyce said. Following Herbert’s death, a legal battle over his estate began. In November 2024, his father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, and his cousin, Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, filed a motion seeking the appointment of interim administrators for Herbert’s estate, citing concerns over possible mismanagement and requesting oversight of the guardianship of Herbert’s minor children.
However, in February 2025, the Lagos State High Court dismissed their application, ruling that the claimants lacked the legal standing to intervene, as they were not beneficiaries under Herbert’s will. The court upheld the provisions of the will, which appointed Uche Wigwe, Herbert’s cousin, and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as trustees and personal representatives. Additionally, the court affirmed the existing guardianship arrangement for Herbert’s children, emphasizing the importance of honoring the deceased’s wishes.
Joyce revealed that her father had been reassured by Herbert’s friends, including Aigboje, that they were also considered part of the family. “My parents were particularly close to AIG’s family as well, particularly his late mum, may her soul rest in peace,” she said. However, tensions began to surface at Herbert’s funeral when Aigboje and his wife allegedly prevented the family from approaching the children.
“It was obvious from the funeral that AIG and his wife kept flanking the kids and would not let us get close to the kids,” Joyce recalled. She also mentioned that attempts to adjust seating arrangements were overruled by Access Bank staff, who followed orders from their superiors.
After the funeral, Joyce claimed that Aigboje held private meetings with her father, accompanied by his lawyer, barring other family members. “They would come to the house and take Daddy into the room… and my dad was like, that’s fine, he can handle it,” she said, expressing her frustration at being excluded, especially as a legal professional herself. During these meetings, Joyce alleged that Aigboje asked her father to sign documents related to Herbert’s estate.
Joyce further stated that her niece, Tochi (Herbert’s daughter), had expressed a desire to work with her grandfather on managing the estate. However, the lawyer handling the estate, identified as Pairo, allegedly refused to provide the family with copies of signed documents, making repeated excuses whenever they requested them. “He refused… each time we asked, he said, ‘Oh, I’m bringing it, oh, I’m travelling,’” Joyce added, emphasizing the lack of transparency in the process.
Despite the ongoing estate issues, Joyce confirmed that the family has maintained a close relationship with Herbert’s children. She also reminded her niece to keep copies of any documents she signed. “She said, ‘Yes, Auntie, I will,’ and that was the last conversation I had with her,” Joyce said, suggesting that other developments had since transpired.
Joyce clarified that the family’s dispute was not with Herbert’s children but with Aigboje’s handling of the situation. She explained that Aigboje stopped providing financial support to her father, claiming that Herbert’s father was using the funds to hire lawyers for the legal battle. Consequently, the family decided to file a motion in court, seeking clarity on Herbert’s interests in Access Bank, his life insurance, and other related matters.
Despite the tensions, Joyce emphasized the importance of family, stating that the Wigwe family had always been close-knit. She highlighted their support for Herbert’s son Chizi, attending his university graduation as part of their family tradition.
Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and their son Chizi tragically died in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, near Nipton, California. They were en route to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl LVIII. The crash also claimed the lives of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two crew members.