Court orders joint administration of ex-Cross River SSG’s estate over disputed property sale

The Probate Court, Calabar Judicial Division, has ordered the joint administration of the estate of the late former Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Chief Wilfred Oden Inah, following a dispute over the alleged sale of part of the family property.

The order was made in Suit No. LA/600/2021, amid a dispute over a property at No. 63, Ibom Layout, Big Qua Town, Calabar, which the deceased’s children alleged was sold by their eldest son, Maurice Oden Inah, without the consent of other members of the family.

The property, said to comprise a block of four flats and a large expanse of land, was allegedly sold to one Emmanuel Emele Utum for more than N100 million.

Family members, however, claimed that the property was worth between N300 million and N400 million, alleging that their late father had intended that each of his children should take a flat, while Maurice would take the surrounding land.

The court directed that the application for Letters of Administration be amended to include four children representing the different maternal lines of the deceased’s family.

Those listed are Mrs Kosi Oden Inah, Mr Maurice Oden Inah, Mr Ofem Oden Inah and Mrs Mildred Manama Ikheloa, who were directed to submit the required biodata to the Probate Registry.

The order followed a Notice of Caveat filed by Bima Oden Inah, a daughter of the deceased, seeking to prevent the issuance of Letters of Administration without notice to her and her siblings.

Ofem Inah, one of the deceased’s children, said the disputed sale was contrary to their father’s wishes that the property should remain within the family.

His sister, Mildred Ikheloa, said the family wanted the property returned and the alleged buyer’s money refunded.

The matter was also reportedly brought before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Sources said Maurice was detained by the commission but later failed to honour further invitations, reportedly citing ill health.

Maurice was also accused by family members of collecting rents from other properties belonging to the estate without convening family meetings.

The allegations have not been independently established.

The deceased’s widow, Chief Mrs Kosi Inah, denied knowledge of the disputed sale or receiving any proceeds from it, insisting that she could not have authorised the sale of her late husband’s property against his wishes.

However, the alleged buyer, Utum, said he followed due process and conducted due diligence, including engaging with the deceased’s widow before purchasing the property.

He said he was prepared to relinquish the property if his money was refunded, stressing that the transaction was not a do-or-die affair.

The court’s decision is expected to ensure broader representation in the administration of the estate and reduce the possibility of further disputes among the deceased’s children.