Responses have followed the enumeration of 58 late Nigerian nationals with abandoned estates in the United Kingdom, predominantly consisting of single men, unmarried women, divorcees, and widowed individuals. For most, their marital statuses remain unspecified save for one listed as married.

PUNCH Diaspora Tales
It was gathered that the UK government, via the Solicitor’s Treasury, released a list containing 58 names of deceased Nigerian individuals whose estates fall under ‘Bona Vacantia.’ This publication includes details such as their names, dates of passing, locations where they died, marital status, and corresponding Bona Vacantia reference numbers.

Included among the Nigerians mentioned was Adenike Adebiyi, whose date of passing is unspecified, noted as being from Hackney, London N1. She was described as a spinster with aBV reference number BV21003032/1. Another individual listed was Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh, recorded as having passed away on February 5, 1998, in Chiswick, London W4. He was marked as a widower and had a BV reference number of BV984930/1.

Among those mentioned were Akanni Jeremiah Adejumo, who sadly passed away on March 31, 2017, in Muswell Hill, London N10 (reference number BV21711076/1), and Solomon Adekanmibi, who died on January 31, 2021, in Colchester, Essex (reference number BV22207473/1). Both individuals had unspecified marital statuses.

The complete roster of 58 Nigerians features comprehensive details including death dates that stretch from 19 July 1995 (Julius Taiwo Akinyeye, Derby, Derbyshire, BV960071/1) all the way to 24 May 2021 (Louisa Holmes, Cheam, Sutton, BV22201373/1). The individuals listed come from various places across the United Kingdom, including cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds, and others.

This progression has ignited conversations among Nigerians and foreigners alike, with numerous individuals turning to social media platforms to express their opinions on topics such as mortgages, taxes, and the neglect of writing wills.

Another turn of events led some individuals to attribute the large-scale movement of Nigerians and other Africans seeking better opportunities to the cause of deaths occurring before assets could be lawfully transferred to next-of-kin.

Regarding the incident, an English-based Nigerian lawyer from London named Efuru Nwapa stated that Nigerians became victims due to not adopting the practice of drafting wills, which would have facilitated the correct transfer of assets to their heirs.

She stated that such occurrences are inevitable when individuals from abroad neglect to lawfully transfer their possessions, wealth, and resources to their family members prior to passing away.

She said, “If individuals neglect to create a will and avoid proper estate planning, this issue may arise. Numerous Nigerians refrain from drafting their wills even though such documents are crucial in their setting, leading to circumstances where, without designated heirs for the estate, the assets of the departed revert to the Crown. Similarly, should someone pass away without a will and lack both relatives and appointed administrators for their estate—an instance of dying intestate—the same outcome occurs.”

Regarding the progress, an X user, @beebee_78, noted, “Many of these unowned assets might remain vacant due to inheritance taxes as well as unpaid and overdue tax or mortgage obligations.” Nevertheless, they recommended, “Transfer your holdings into a living trust and ensure proper insurance coverage for them.”

“Hundreds of abandoned estates uncover hidden narratives of African migration, prosperity, and severed familial connections. Every day, numerous individuals pass away in the UK without a will or identifiable heirs, including many Nigerians and other Africans whose assets—such as properties and savings—are left unattended,” noted @sierraeyesalone.

@Jaynepha said, “I hope Nigerians in diaspora—not only Nigerians in the UK—will wake up. You don’t acquire all these assets only to have them unclaimed after you kpai (die) simply because you didn’t allow your children or relatives to know what you have.”

“As a UK resident, I am familiar with firms known as Heir Hunters who seek out possible relatives and provide assistance in claiming assets, often charging a fee or taking a share of the estate. Many individuals may be deprived of their inheritance due to lack of awareness or failure to meet legal time limits. Properties left unclaimed might end up neglected or deteriorate, impacting nearby neighborhoods,” explained @IEnakhena.

As stated by the user, “Individuals who assert they have a valid claim may submit their application along with legal documentation verifying their family connection.”

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