The values of these estates are not published; instead, only information about their deceased owners is available.

At least 56 dead people of Nigerian descent reportedly left unclaimed estates in the United Kingdom, according to data published by the UK government.

One of the oldest identified Nigerians, identified as Mark N'wogo, died on December 9, 1992, in Surrey, United Kingdom, but the assets he left behind have gone unclaimed for nearly 30 years, which means that his properties would be surrendered to the British government by December 2022.

He was believed to have served in the Navy, which gave his birth year as 1926, and to have an unnamed family in Sapele, but neither this individual nor any others had stepped forward to claim the deceased's possessions (whatever value they may have now).

According to a BusinessDay examination of UK government data from the list of unclaimed estates held by the Treasury Solicitor and last updated on September 8, 2022, N'wogo is one of 56 Nigerians officially recorded to have died in the UK in the last 30 years with assets still unclaimed.

The values of these estates are not published; instead, only information about their deceased owners is available.


A familiar name on the list is Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who is alleged to have died on August 15, 2001 in Birmingham, with the Birmingham City Council identified as the informant.

The Treasury Solicitor issued a list of unclaimed estates that had recently been referred but had not yet been administered, as well as past instances that had been administered but had not yet been claimed within the time constraints for doing so. Estates with a 30-year time limit from the date of death are likewise exempt.

“We frequently hear of accounts in financial institutions belonging to deceased people that are never claimed and are never made public by these institutions. I believe we can take a leaf out of the UK's book in this area to promote transparency," says Olaitan Akinnubi, a Lagos-based lawyer.

"I believe that making information about deceased people and their unclaimed assets public in the UK is something that is worthwhile."

For most of the deceased, there is little information on relatives to whom their assets may be transferred, and those with available information, it is quite scanty and hard to trace beneficiaries.

 The list includes a certain Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh that died on February 5, 1998 in Chiswick, London and thought to have different variations in the spelling of his name. Information on file indicates that he may have been married in December 1959 (place unknown) and had four children from the marriage.

It is further stated he was born in Northern Nigeria on or about the 3rd March 1930 and his parents are said to be Alfred Hallim Abouarh and Addanue Abouarh nee Onwudachi. Information on file also indicates that he had a sister (deceased) and a twin brother (possibly living in Germany).

 There is also a Paul (Akinola) Bernard who was born in Lagos and died in London on October 12, 2008. Available information suggests he married a 2nd wife, Marie Vidarte de Castro in 1970, but she had also died in August 2008. He is believed to have a daughter from his first marriage which ended around 1970.

Born in Ibadan on August 2, 1958, John Olaolu Bankole died in London on April 27, 2010. Information available includes a Decree Absolute dissolving the deceased’s marriage on 11 November 2002, while his marriage certificate states that his father’s name is Oladipupo Bankole.

While Enwukwe Graham Kwedi Edde, who died on January 6, 2011 in London is only known to have been born in Diobu, River State, Charles Ayodele Aliu, who died on March 31, 2011 in Solihull, West Midlands is said to “have possible cousin in Nigeria”.

Sunny Eyo Edem, who died on September 16, 2011 in Fulham is believed to have a “Possible son and relatives in Calabar, Nigeria”. Also, William Kadry, who died on November 1, 2011 in Fulham, is said to have been born in Iponri, Lagos State, and his father Akanni Kadiri died in 1941, while his mother Muniratu Kadiri died 1958.

Recent additions to the list include Solomon Adekanmibi who died on January 31, 2021 in Colchester, Essex; Eugene Bucknor, who died on March 2, 2021 in Brockley, London; Jeff Adhekeh, who died on March 12, 2021 in South Kensington, London and Louisa Holmes, who died on May 24, 2021 in Cheam Sutton.

According to Akinnubi, the legal practitioner, “for the relatives of any such deceased person or any other person entitled to the estate of any of the listed deceased persons, it is advisable that they engage a Probate Solicitor or Practitioner in the UK to help and guide them through the process of obtaining letters of administration in respect of the deceased person’s Estate in the UK.”

https://saharareporters.com/2022/09/16/uk-government-publishes-56-dead-nigerians-others-unclaimed-estates-assets

This is pure transparency
Corruption free country
Come to my country , it would have been claimed by an unknown person if he/she can bribe is way out

Hmmmmm

It's what it is.

.

In my dear country, even the wealth of citizens alive are stolen talk less of that of the dead.

Can we ever get there as a country?
Maybe, with Peter Obi as President. But with Atiku or Tinubu, it would be Business As Usual.

.

These people are dead Nigerians but the UK wants to swallow their assets like that python that swallowed jamb money.

I would have suggested the UK transfer their assets to Nigerian government, but this Buhari administration no dey use eye see foreign currency.

Better UK python than Nigerian python.

TheWorldNearEnd:
Hmmmmm
It's what it is.

TheWorldNearEnd:
Hmmmmm
It's what it is.

I can see my grandpa's name.Let me quickly go and claim my inheritance

WibusJaga:
.

In my dear country, even the wealth of citizens alive are stolen talk less of that of the dead.

Can we ever get there as a country?
Maybe, with Peter Obi as President. But with Atiku or Tinubu, it would be Business As Usual.

Yes we can, but not because of Peter Obi as President, but because we ourselves as individuals have decided to have Obidient hearts and minds instead of the corrupt hearts and minds we currently have.

FFK is not desd na.... Olufemi fani-kayode...

Ffk go claim property for London

Their relatives may be living in penury here

familiar name on the list is Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who is alleged to have died on August 15, 2001 in Birmingham, with the Birmingham City Council identified as the informant


FFK is not desd na.... Olufemi fani-kayode...

Ffk go claim property for London

Nigeria's government are selling the living properties how much more the dead.

If you dey japa to overseas!!
Remember ya family
Back home!!
Use them as next of kin!
Make ur wealth no end for street

fman:
If you dey japa to overseas!!
Remember ya family
Back home!!
Use them as next of kin!
Make ur wealth no end for street

You get it bro....
Reason many Bank Managers are rich in Nigeria... .

Nice..I hope we can borrow from this as countiy.

TossTos:
This is pure transparency
Corruption free country
Come to my country , it would have been claimed by an unknown person if he/she can bribe is way out

Brothers would have claimed it, to the detriment of his true next of kin including wife and kids.

Only God knows the nameS yekini Amoda used this time around

Some 0f this property re acquired via proxy, using names not fully related.
UK should sell them, use the money for Queen's burial

Very true comparatively but they remain one of the most corrupt countries.

Some West Indians just got reprieve or relief recently after fighting in so called world Wars for their benefits. Imagine living in a country for ages without papers for any benefit.

Most of their African cohorts died like them without benefits.

TossTos:
This is pure transparency
Corruption free country
Come to my country , it would have been claimed by an unknown person if he/she can bribe is way out

Shebi na country wey dey keep records ... Get database ... go dey do this....

No travel forget family
When you die no one go even look for you or miss you

I wonder how many people have died in Nigeria with huge sum of money in their "secret" bank accounts.. Las las sha dis life ma vanity.

Tochi3:


FFK is not desd na.... Olufemi fani-kayode...

Ffk go claim property for London

They are most likely to be related.

Lalasticlala......

kokoA:
I wonder how many people have died in Nigeria with huge sum of money in their "secret" bank accounts.. Las las sha dis life ma vanity.

If you know what bankers know......

Same way many houses and lands claimed by tenants because the owners never told their families......