Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has emerged victorious in a long-drawn legal battle over the administration and control of her late husband’s estate. The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja ruled in favor of Bianca and her two children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu.
The late Ikemba Nnewi, a director of Ojukwu Transport Ltd (OTL), a family company, passed away in 2011. The court case, filed by Bianca on behalf of her two sons against OTL and seven others, including brothers of her late husband, centered on alleged attempts by the defendants to take possession of properties under the management and control of the late Igbo leader.
The defendants had tried to claim control of No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, and other properties owned by OTL, citing their late father’s death as a basis for their actions. However, the court ruled in favor of Bianca and her children, stating that they are entitled to the estate and their father’s entitlements as a deceased director and shareholder of OTL.
Justice A.M. Lawal emphasized the principle of equity and fairness, affirming that the claimants, being the biological children of the late Ojukwu, have rightful ownership of their father’s estate. The court further held that the claimants should have control over what their late father possessed and controlled in the company when he was alive.
The court also declared the threat of ejection against Ojukwu’s children as illegal and restrained the defendants from interfering with the claimants’ possession and control of other properties, including No. 13 Hawkesworth Rd, Ikoyi; No. 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos; and No. 4 Macpherson Ave, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The victory for Bianca Ojukwu and her children marks the end of a decade-long legal battle and secures their rightful claim to the assets under the late Ojukwu’s name.
