A family dispute over the estate of late Engr. Dr. Tanko Baba Abdullahi has taken a disturbing turn, with allegations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is intimidating persons involved in the court-supervised administration of the estate. The heirs, through their solicitors, Jet Attorneys, have petitioned the National Assembly, claiming that the anti-graft agency's actions are being influenced by competing interests of beneficiaries. The dispute began after Abdullahi's death in April 2022, leaving behind properties and assets for his beneficiaries.
The petitioners alleged that the EFCC detained a court-appointed valuer and a purchaser of one of the estate properties, searched their homes, and seized their phones for forensic examination. These actions have created fear among participants in the estate process, who now doubt the safety of transactions conducted under the court's authority. The heirs have approached the House Committee on EFCC, seeking intervention and an impartial review of the matter by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The inheritance dispute started after the death of Tanko Baba Abdullahi in April 2022. Initially, family members, traditional authorities, and elders attempted to resolve the administration of the estate internally, but disagreements persisted over the identification, valuation, and distribution of assets. The matter was eventually taken to the Upper Area Court, Kubwa, Abuja, which assumed a supervisory role over the estate's administration.
The court-appointed firm, Hassan and Hassan Consulting, was engaged to value the properties, and beneficiaries were given the opportunity to exercise their right of first refusal before some properties were offered to third parties. A substantial number of heirs participated in the process, either personally or through their lawyers, and accepted the court-supervised arrangement. However, the situation became disturbing when the court-appointed valuer and a purchaser were subjected to EFCC investigation.
One of the heirs, Abdullahi, is an officer of the EFCC, which has raised concerns about the Commission's impartiality in the matter. The petitioners have asked the National Assembly to examine whether the EFCC's investigative powers are being used independently or have become entangled in the inheritance dispute. They want the Commission to ensure that any investigation is evidence-based and not influenced by competing interests.
The heirs have requested that the EFCC protect legitimate purchasers and professionals involved in the court-supervised process from intimidation and unnecessary disruption. They believe that the Commission's actions should be guided by evidence and a commitment to fairness. The EFCC has yet to comment on the allegations made by the heirs.
The petitioners are seeking an impartial review of the matter and intervention from the House Committee on EFCC. They hope that the National Assembly will examine the allegations and ensure that the EFCC's actions are transparent and fair. The outcome of this dispute will have implications for the administration of estates in Nigeria and the role of anti-graft agencies in such matters.
Key points
- The EFCC's alleged intimidation of persons involved in the court-supervised administration of the estate has created fear among participants.
- The dispute began after the death of Tanko Baba Abdullahi in April 2022, leaving behind properties and assets for his beneficiaries.
- One of the heirs, Abdullahi, is an officer of the EFCC, raising concerns about the Commission's impartiality.
