A dispute over the estate of the late Chief Adolphus William Jumbo has reached the courts, with his second son challenging the Letters of Administration granted to his sister.
In Suit No. BHC/116/CS/2026, filed at the Rivers State High Court, Bonny Division, Idadiepiri Adolphus Jumbo is asking the court to set aside the Letters of Administration granted to Joy Deribelagha Blessed Lawson on December 29, 2023.
Mrs. Lawson is the first defendant, while her siblings, Tamunotonye Adolphus Jumbo, who is Secretary to the Bonny Local Government, Atedoughu Adolphus Jumbo, and Ibisonye Adolphus Jumbo, are also named as defendants.
The Probate Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State and Access Bank Plc are listed as the second set of defendants.
Court documents sighted by Kristina Reports show that the claimant, represented by Moses Harry, his Counsel, alleges that the letter of administration was obtained without disclosing his existence as a principal beneficiary and next of kin of the deceased.
He further alleges that Mrs. Lawson held herself out as head of the family, convened family meetings and distributed estate proceeds without accounting to him, and that this is inconsistent with Ibani (Bonny) native law and custom given the existence of adult male heirs. The role, if any, of the Local Government Secretary in the matter is not stated in the documents.
The claimant is seeking, among other reliefs:
- an order revoking the Letters of Administration;
- an order directing Access Bank Plc to freeze rental proceeds from the estate’s properties on King Perekule Road, Bonny Island, and pay them into an escrow account under the court’s control pending determination of the suit; and
- an order directing the defendants to render a full account, including audited records where applicable, of rental income and other proceeds allegedly collected from April 2018 to date.
The claimant identifies the estate’s assets and income sources as including benefits associated with Shell, gratuity from Bonny Local Government Council, proceeds from Bigdaddy’s Hotel, and income connected to Rockzadol Company at No. 29 Hospital Road, Bonny Island.
In a related proceeding, Mr. Idadiepiri Jumbo has applied to be joined in Suit No. BMC/128/CS/2026 at the Bonny Magistrates’ Court. That action was reportedly brought by Mrs. Lawson and Warisenibo Atedoghua Adolphus Jumbo against Access Bank Plc over outstanding rent.
He seeks to be joined as a party and to have the proceedings stayed, citing concern that estate assets could be dissipated while the High Court case is pending.
Both matters are pending before the courts. The claims summarised above are allegations contained in court filings, not established facts.
No defendant’s response was available to this publication at the time of writing, and no court has made any finding. Any party wishing to respond is welcome to do so.
