The United Kingdom government has disclosed a list of over 56 deceased individuals of Nigerian descent whose estates remain unclaimed. Published on the Treasury Solicitor’s website and updated as of September 8, 2022, the list highlights assets that have yet to be claimed, with a statutory 30-year period before they revert to the British Crown.
One notable case is that of Mark N’wogo, reportedly born in Sapele, Delta State, who passed away on December 9, 1992, in Surrey. Despite nearly three decades since his demise, his assets remain unclaimed and are set to be forfeited to the UK government by December 2022 if no rightful heirs come forward. N’wogo was believed to have served in the Navy and had connections in Sapele, yet no relatives have stepped forward to claim his estate.
Another individual on the list is Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who died on August 15, 2001, in Birmingham. The Birmingham City Council is listed as the informant of his death, indicating a lack of known family members to claim his assets.
The UK Treasury Solicitor’s list serves as a public notice for potential heirs to step forward. Legal experts advise that relatives of these deceased individuals engage probate solicitors in the UK to navigate the process of claiming these estates. The importance of drafting a will is also emphasized to prevent such situations and ensure that assets are distributed according to the deceased’s wishes.
This development underscores the need for Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to maintain clear records of their assets and familial connections to prevent the loss of valuable estates to foreign governments.
UK Releases Details of Unclaimed Estates of Deceased Individuals of Nigerian Origin.
