Ownership: Ex-judge’s daughter asks Abuja court for 11.11% share in late father’s assets, shares, N500 billion

The daughter of a former President, Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja, Justice Moses Bello (late), Ann Eniyamire has asked the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Bwari, Abuja to declare that she is entitled to 11.11% of all of her late father’s assets including estates and shares.

Eniyamire, who says she is one of the children of the late judge, told Justice MA Madugu on Wednesday to grant her her due in accordance with her late father’s will.

In the lawsuit marked CV/667/2024, Eniyamire’s lawyer, Advocate Yahuza Mahraz, alleged that his client was shortchanged by the executor of her father’s will, Rev. Father Ezekiel John (first defendant) and another.

According to her statement, her late father ordered that all his assets be divided among his wife and eight children according to a sharing formula of 11.11%.

However, the plaintiff’s lawyer accused the defendant of using a sharing formula of 4.16 percent.

The plaintiff, who has 38 reliefs, urged the court to reverse the defendants’ alleged decision, relieve them of their duties (as executors of her father’s will) and award 11.11% of to return her father’s property to her.

Part of her prayers read:

• “A declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to a share of 1/9 or 11.11% of all the shares and stock of her deceased father.
• “An order from this honor. The court orders the defendants to settle, tender and deliver to an appointed Administrator General all necessary documents relating to the administration, administration and distribution of the estates of the plaintiff’s deceased father.
• “A declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to 11.11%, which is equivalent to 1/9 of the shares in respect of all the estates of her late father of Mab farms and shares set forth in embossed “25” above.”
• “An order of this honorable court directing the defendants to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) solely as general damages.”

What happened in court

During the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday, Mahruz told the judge that the hearing on his case was ripe.

But the defendant’s counsel, Adewale Adegboyega, told the judge that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the competency of the suit.

After listening to them, the judge set June 4 for a final hearing.

He said,

• “The Defendant’s preliminary objection and the Plaintiff’s claims are hereby consolidated so that the preliminary objection and the immediate trial are taken together.
• “I must say, however, that it is not convenient for the court to hear the case today.
• “The matter has been adjourned to June 4, 2024 for hearing.”

What you should know

The FCT High Court has jurisdiction over various developments within the FCT.

A will is a testamentary document that is drawn up and executed voluntarily, but which is also subject to the jurisdiction of a competent court.