₦airaland Forum

KingChijioke:
.......... Now he regrets in his grave


When news of the helicopter crash in the California desert,which claimed the lives of Herbert, Chizoba, and Chizi Wigwe, Abimbola Ogunsanya and the crew filtered into the news in the early hours of 10th February, 2024, the grief was palpable. Dr Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer,Access Bank, a seasoned banker, well respected and loved, could never have contemplated that the short trip to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas would cost him his life, leaving behind orphaned children, grieving aged parents and siblings and a large community of friends, associates and mentees. Herbert had lived a purposeful life with his charismatic personality. Everywhere he ever went, all who encountered him were left with lingering memories.


Herbert Onyewumbu was born into the family of Pa and Mrs Shyngle Wigwe on the 15th of August 1966, in Ibadan (present day Oyo State, Nigeria) Pa Wigwe was in the military, serving in the Engineering Corps. Soon, the Nigerian Civil War erupted, and Captain Shyngle Wigwe fought on the Biafran side. The Wigwe family relocated to Port- Harcourt, where Herbert lived his early life. At the end of war hostilities, Pa Wigwe started a new career as a pioneer in the Nigerian television industry. He eventually rose to the rank of Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, retiring in 1989, after meritorious years of service. In retirement, Pa Wigwe has devoted his time to Christian ministry, serving as a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Herbert's mother, Stella, is a retired nurse and homemaker.


Together with his 5 siblings, Herbert was raised in a very disciplined home, built on Christian values. The Wigwes admonished their children to seek and strive for academic excellence and provided the enabling environment, sparing no expense to ensure the young Wigwe’s excelled. Indeed, Herbert began his secondary school education at Federal Government College, Sokoto at a tender age, making the journey unaccompanied by rail from Port Harcourt to Sokoto! There was no room for excuses even though Herbert suffered severe allergies all his life. This is the fearless spirit he became known for. It is no surprise, Herbert grew up to be a focused, courageous, goal getter with admirable academic achievements and strong professional and social relationships.


Herbert was known for being highly motivated, ambitious, goal oriented,a loyal and dependable friend, a compassionate, and generous individual who executed many philanthropic projects anonymously.


Very importantly, Herbert was a consummate family oriented man, loving devoted husband to Chizoba his wife of 30 years he called "the finest". Chizoba,a lawyer by training, was a serial entrepreneur with a legendary business acumen. She delved into the construction industry, establishing Craneburg Construction in 2016, a company with an enviable portfolio of executed projects. Indeed,Herbert often said Chizoba was wealthier than him.


He was a devoted father and, in the footsteps of his own upbringing, raised his children to aspire and achieve academic and professional laurels. Chizi, at 29, armed with a masters degree, was an investment professional, cutting his teeth at AFC Capital Partners, a subsidiary of the Africa Finance Corporation. Herbert was not one to "spoil" his beloved first son and encouraged him to chart his own course and build his own "empire" instead of making space for him in the comfort of Access Holdings.


Chizi and Tochi were particularly close as they grew up, the first set of siblings David, Hannah, and 2 year old Okachi.


26 year old Otutochi,has a bachelor's degree from New York University and a Masters Degree in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management from the prestigious Imperial College, London. She had just started working when the tragic helicopter crash occurred.


Aigboje Aig-imoukhuede and Herbert shared a friendship and brotherhood from their GTBank days which blossomed into a business partnership which gave birth to Access Bank. Aig, a lawyer by training who bagged his LLB from the University of Benin at the admirable age of 19 is the friend Herbert brought home and whom the Wigwes consider a son and sibling. Pa Wigwe was consoled in his grief knowing he still had a son who would ensure his grandchildren were protected and properly catered for...or so he thought.


Soon after the funeral, Tochi entered her new role as eldest sibling and head of the Herbert Wigwe family. The family had recently moved into their palatial home, an architectural masterpiece in highbrow Ikoyi,Lagos. Tochi indicated she desired to work with her grandfather with whom she shared a close relationship to manage the assets her parents had left behind. Herbert's children are surrounded by domestic staff and exposed to the risk of being targeted for elimination by criminally minded individuals who may have access to them. Very recently, a young doctor, daughter of prominent parents, was robbed and murdered by her domestic staff within the highbrow Ikoyi axis.


Aigboje and his lawyer, Paul Usoro SAN ( past NBA Chairman and Access Bank Chairman) would visit with the grieving Wigwe asking for a private audience with Pa Wigwe. Pa Wigwe was presented documents to sign, none of which he was given a copy of. He was not disturbed as he believed he was dealing with his "son" who had the interest of his family, especially his beloved grandchildren at heart.


Aigboje soon suggested, Pa and Mrs Shyngle Wigwe proceed on their scheduled medical appointment in Austria. While they were away , Aigboje informed them the now famous will was going to be read! The timing was suspect and eventually the "will" was read on the 3rd of September,2024 without Herbert's parents, or siblings present!


Uche Wigwe, Herbert's cousin and confidant now assumed the status of guardian to the children! The "will"presented, was a 3 page document purportedly deposited in Florida, USA in 2013 the contents of which were suspect.When Herbert's parents and siblings protested and further investigations were made, several discrepancies were discovered. The document Herbert deposed to in Florida is an eighteen (18) page document!


Next, 25 year old Tochi,on 9th September, 2024 approached a Magistrates Court, applying for guardianship of her minor siblings. In the circumstances, it has become obvious Tochi's actions are premeditated and teleguided by someone or group of persons interested in the estate left behind by Herbert. The Shyngle Wigwe family were constrained to institute a caveat on Herbert's assets demanding for transparency and clarity regarding the administration thereof.


A now angry Aigboje immediately discontinued all allowances to Herbert's parents! He reportedly said he would not fund Pa Wigwe to fight him in court and has demanded that all litigation challenging how he has chosen to manage Herbert's assets must be withdrawn.


The Wigwes have been subjected to humiliating media campaigns designed to embarrass the family with phantom allegations that Herbert's aged parents and siblings are attempting to interfere with the children's inheritance. Mainstream and social media has been awash with a sponsored smear campaign especially since the events preceding the first year memorial.


Pa Wigwe, as head of the Shyngle Wigwe family along with his children informed Aigboje, and the management of Access Bank of his intention to host memorial ceremonies,in Isiokpo his hometown where Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi are laid to rest. Surprisingly, Aigboje proceeded to organise parallel ceremonies in Lagos!


More disturbing were the events of 8th February, 2025 at the mausoleum at Isiokpo. A motorcade of vehicles escorted by armed security personnel arrived at the Wigwe University site of the mausoleum. Pa Wigwes residence is a stone throw away from the mausoleum but the visitors did not deem it fit to pay Herbert's parents a courtesy visit! Shockingly, the visitors were Aigboje, Uche Wigwe and Herbert's children!!! Apparently, their mission was to lay wreaths at the graveside. Who would in all good conscience visit the country home of the Wigwes with armed escorts to lay wreaths except people who wanted to intimidate them? Who would allow grandchildren to disrespect their grandparents this way?


Emeka, Herbert's only surviving biological brother was restrained and assaulted. Later in the evening, a convoy of secret police swooped in on 90 year old Pa Wigwes home, shooting sporadically in the air and arrested Emeka. His offence was that he demanded to know who had entered the mausoleum and defended himself when he was assaulted.


No doubt, Herbert and Chizoba Wigwe had in their lifetime meticulously built an asset portfolio which their children must be allowed to benefit from as they are entitled to. Neither Herbert's parents nor his siblings are interested in depriving the children of their inheritance. All they are asking is that the affairs of the estate are transparently managed for the benefit of all the children. Tochi may have academic achievements but at 26 she is hardly equipped and mature enough to manage teenage siblings and a 2 year old. Today, a white South African nanny has been employed to tend to the needs of little.... who easily could and should be living a more normal life with his uncle's family where he has a cousin about the same age.


Understandably, it must be difficult growing up in a dysfunctional home. Aigboje, you are a very blessed person by any standard but you have always harbored an unhealthy competitive spirit not taking time to appreciate all you are blessed with instead converting the blessings of another. Herbert called you and regarded you as a brother, is this how you celebrate a friendship many craved for?


Since Herbert's demise, Aigboje in public, you have spoken consentingly about him. At staff meetings, you have referred to him as your employee! Even with Herbert's remarkable achievements at Access Bank, you have not passed on the opportunity to criticise and belittle all he did.


First, everyone must take care of his own little corner. When you are through with your corner, if you have the time , you can then attempt to take care of someone else's corner. Aigboje, in all honesty,what would you score as a parent? It is no secret the behavioral challenges your own children are known to have. You will be wise to take care of your corner.


Curiously, Aigboje,you introduced Tochi as "the most eligible spinster in Nigeria"in a hall full of dignitaries, at a solemn event,a night of tributes for her father,your "friend and brother", Herbert. Who does that? How inappropriate can you be? This was a 25 year old you were introducing already giving people ideas about her eligibility and availability?!


One thing to have learnt from the loss of Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi is that tomorrow is not promised. We are all dust and to dust we shall return. No matter how much you have,you shall leave empty handed. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to do the right thing while you still can.


The truth is an open wound. It would take less energy to do the right thing and honour the brotherhood you shared with Herbert.


This opinion was written by a concerned citizen
what if the siblings of the deceased are the one fronting their dad to claim parts of what belongs to their brother

KingChijioke:
.......... Now he regrets in his grave.

This opinion was written by a concerned citizen