The Administrator of the Estate of late Mrs Esther Ibeto, has dragged
Jigida singer, Uche Ibeto, before a High Court of Justice of Lagos state, over unlawful possession of the deceased property.
Uche is known for her popular music hit album, Jigida dance in the 80s.
Led by the Administrator of the Estate, Mrs. Laura Chinyelu Okoh, in a suit filed through her Counsel, Barrister E. Omoijiade, dated October 2, 2025, accused her sister of unlawfully taking possession of cash, valuables, property title documents, and rental income belonging to the Estate after their mother’s death.
She also accused Uche of sponsoring defamatory publications in the media against her and other members of the family.
Specifically, she mentioned a publication in Sahara Reporters, dated September 9, 2025, where she accused Mrs Okoh of conniving with a judicial officer to eject her from her home at 36, Ibezim Obianulu. street, Lagos, where she had lived.
But the Estate Administrator prayed the court for an order of the court for Uche, who is the sole defendant in the matter to return all assets belonging to the Estate, provide a full account of the Estate’s finances, and publish a retraction and apology for the defamatory statements.
The, plaintiff also asked the court to order monetary compensation of N10,000,000 for defamation and N10,000,000 for the cost of the legal action.
She further prayed the court for an order for the defendant to account for £10,000 (Ten thousand Pounds) allegedly withdrawn from the deceased’s Barclays Bank account and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from interfering with the Estate or publishing further defamatory statements.
In the statement of claim, deposed to, by the Estate Administrator, the Claimant in the matter, Mrs Okoh, avers that the Defendant, without lawful authority from the administrators of the estate rented out various portions of the deceased’s property, including the boys’ quarters, garages, and flats, and has converted rental income of more than¥25,000,000 (Twenty-Five Million Naira) to her personal use.
The Claimant further said despite repeated requests and demands, the Defendant has persistently refused, neglected, and failed to provide an account for or retum the monies, valuables, and documents that were unlawtully removed from the deceased and the Estate.
“These assets, which are rightfully part of the Estate of the late Mrs. Esther Ibeto, remain in the Defendant’s possession without lawful justification or explanation. In support of these claims, the Claimant will rely, at the trial of this suit, on a formal letter dated 20th August 2025, which was issued to the Defendant demanding the immediate retum of the Estate assets still held by her”, she said.
The Claimant further stated that, following the Defendant’s persistent refusal and neglect to account for the estate assets in her possession, as weil as her ongoing dissipation of the remaining assets, it became necessary to sell the house, in the best interest of the estate.
She said, “Considering these circumstances, and to protect and preserve the interests of all beneficiaries, the Claimant made the decision to sell the one-storey building situated at No. 36 Ibezim Obiojulu Street, Surulere, Lagos with the intention fo share the proceeds realised among the beneficiaries of the estate, ensuring that each party received their rightful entitlement in accordance with the duties.
“Rather than providing a proper account of the estate properties in her custody, the Defendant responded by threatening to harass and embarrass the Claimant. The Defendant subsequently acted upon these threats by colluding with certain unscrupulous police officers to intimidate and arrest staff and employees of the Estate.
“The Claimant avers that on or about 2025, the Defendant caused and/or Sponsored the publication of malicious, false and defamatory statements in the press, wherein she falsely represented Ms Uche Ibeto as the owner of the Estate property, maliciously disparaged the Claimant in her capacity as Administrator, and misled the public as to the true ownership of the Estate’s
assets.
“The said defamatory publications have lowered the Claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, brought the administration of the Estate into disrepute, and injured the Estate’s reputation.
She sought an order of the court restraining the defendant from further publishing defamatory statements in the media.
She prayed the court for N20m damages against the defendant.
As at the time of filing this report, Counsel to the Claimant said the Bailiff has been to her (Uche) house at 21/25 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, but she refused service of the court papers.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case
End
