Family Drags Singer, Uche Ibeto, To Court Over Late Mum’s Property, Others

The Administrator of the Estate of the late Mrs Esther Ibeto, has dragged Jigida singer, Uche Ibeto, before the High Court of Justice of Lagos State, over unlawful possession of the deceased’s 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, Barr E. Omoijiade, dated October 2, 2025, accused their sister of unlawfully taking possession of cash, valuables, property title documents and rental income belonging to the Estate after their mother’s death.

They also accused Uche of sponsoring defamatory publications in the media against the Administrator and other members of the family.

Specifically, they mentioned a publication in an online platform, 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, on behalf of the family, prayed the court for an order 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She further prayed the court for an order for Uche Ibeto to account for £10,000 allegedly withdrawn from their deceased mother’s Barclays Bank account and a perpetual injunction restraining Uche Ibeto from interfering with the Estate or publishing further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, averred that the Uche Ibeto 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 converted rental income of more than N25,000,000 to her personal use.

The claimant further said that despite repeated requests and demands, Uche Ibeto has persistently refused, neglected and failed to provide an account for or return the monies, valuables and documents that were unlawfully 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 return 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 well as her ongoing dissipation of the remaining assets, it became necessary to sell the house in the best interest of the estate.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.