A High Court in Enugu State has ruled in favor of Bianca, the widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, affirming her as the rightful beneficiary of the late Igbo leader’s estate.
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, stemmed from a suit filed by Chief Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu, who sought to be declared the first son of the late Dim Ojukwu.
Debe, the plaintiff, also sought an order to restrain Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu from interfering with the administration of the estate and a declaration that Ojukwu died intestate, claiming entitlement to letters of administration of the estate.
The court, presided over by Hon. Justice A.O. Onovo, deliberated on whether the plaintiff provided sufficient evidence to establish himself as Ojukwu’s acknowledged son during the latter’s lifetime, and whether Ojukwu’s will was valid.
In a lengthy judgment, Justice Onovo held that the plaintiff failed to prove acknowledgment by Ojukwu as his biological son, emphasizing that public opinion alone couldn’t determine paternity.
Additionally, the court affirmed the validity of Ojukwu’s will, dismissing claims of typographical errors and irregular signatories.
Regarding the right of the plaintiff’s children to challenge the will, the court ruled that they must first prove themselves as grandchildren of Ojukwu, which the plaintiff failed to establish.
Consequently, the court concluded that the plaintiff’s children lacked beneficiary interest in Ojukwu’s estate through their father, Chief Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu, hence the case lacked merit.
This ruling solidifies Bianca’s position as the rightful beneficiary of Ojukwu’s estate, marking a significant legal victory in the ongoing dispute over the late Igbo leader’s legacy.
