- The identities of 56 Nigerians who died and left estates in the United Kingdom have been revealed
- Some of the names in the register include those who died since 1998, and no one has come for their assets
- The unclaimed assets have been held by the UK government in the hope that a relative can prove their relationship within a 30-year period
The United Kingdom government has released the names and information of 6,743 persons who have died with unclaimed estates.
Among the names on the list are 56 Nigerians who died in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2021.
Unclaimed estates have a 30-year time limit from the date of death before they are removed if no one comes forward to claim them.
Credit: Lankishere
Source: Getty Images
Sadly for most of the deceased, there is little information on relatives to whom their assets may be transferred.
Names on the list
According to data from UK Treasury Solicitor and last updated on September 8, 2022, one of the Nigerians identified is Julius Taiwo, who died on July 19, 1995, at Derby Derbyshire, UK.
A familiar name on the list, according to BusinessDay, is a certain Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who is said to have died on August 15, 2001, in Birmingham, with the informant on his death listed as the Birmingham City Council.
The list also includes Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh, who died on February 5, 1998 in Chiswick, London, and is thought to have several spelling variations.
Abouarh, the file noted, may have married in December 1959 (location unknown) and had four children from the marriage.
See the full list here and here.
What to do if you have a claim
For those with claims to any of the listed names will have to provide details of their relationship.
The UK noted that:
“If you are, for example, a first cousin of the deceased, you would only be entitled to share in the estate if there are no relatives above you in the order of entitlement, for example, a niece or nephew.”
Other details on how to make a claim are shown here.
Expert speaks
A lawyer Kunle Ademola in reaction to the story noted that there is a lot Nigeria has to learn from the United Kingdom with this gesture.
He added that for those with claims, it is important that legal advice is consulted before proceeding.
Organ Harvesting: UK speaks on ‘possible immunity’ for Ekweremadu
Meanwhile, the British High Commission said it would not comment on the alleged organ harvesting case involving Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
When asked about the possible immunity for Ekweremadu and the probability of a transfer of the case from the Central Criminal Court in the United Kingdom to Nigeria, the Head of Political Section at the British High Commission in Abuja, Aneesah Islam, stated:
“The British Government and therefore, in this instance, the British High Commission in Abuja do not comment on ongoing legal matters.”
Source: TopLatestNews
