The Administrator of the Estate of the late Mrs. Esther Ibeto has dragged popular Jigida singer, Uche Ibeto, before the Lagos State High Court over claims of unlawful possession of the deceased’s property and valuables.
Uche Ibeto, who gained fame in the 1980s with her hit album Jigida Dance, is alleged to have taken possession of cash, valuables, property title documents, and rental income belonging to the late mother’s estate without authorization.
The suit, dated October 2, 2025, was filed by Mrs. Laura Chinyelu Okoh, one of the deceased’s children and Administrator of the Estate, through her counsel, Barrister E. Omoijiade.
In the court filing, the claimant alleged that Uche unlawfully retained and converted the estate’s assets for personal use and also sponsored defamatory publications against her and other family members.
The claimant specifically cited a Sahara Reporters publication of September 9, 2025, in which Uche allegedly accused her sister, Mrs. Okoh, of conspiring with a judicial officer to eject her from the family home located at 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street, Surulere, Lagos.
Through the suit, the Administrator is seeking an order compelling Uche to return all alleged estate assets in her possession, provide a full account of the estate’s finances, and publish a retraction and apology over the alleged defamatory publication.
The claimant is also demanding ₦10 million in damages for defamation, ₦10 million as the cost of the legal action, and an order directing the defendant to account for £10,000 allegedly withdrawn from their late mother’s Barclays Bank account in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, the claimant seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Uche from further interfering with the estate or publishing any further allegedly defamatory statements.
In her statement of claim, Mrs. Okoh alleged that Uche, without lawful authority, rented out portions of the deceased’s property — including boys’ quarters, garages, and flats — and converted more than ₦25 million in rental proceeds for personal use.
She further claimed that despite repeated demands, Uche allegedly refused to return or account for the assets and continued to dissipate the remaining estate properties.
According to her, the decision to sell the one-storey building at 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street, Surulere, and share the proceeds among beneficiaries was made in the best interest of the estate to protect all parties.
She also alleged that the defendant subsequently threatened to harass and intimidate her and reportedly collaborated with police officers to arrest estate staff.
“The defamatory publications have lowered the Claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, brought the administration of the estate into disrepute, and injured the estate’s reputation,” the claimant alleged in court documents.
The Administrator is therefore asking the court to restrain Uche Ibeto from making further publications or taking actions capable of tarnishing the estate’s image.
As of press time, counsel to the Administrator confirmed that the court bailiff had attempted to serve Uche Ibeto at her residence on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, but she allegedly declined to accept the court papers.
No date has yet been fixed for hearing in the matter.
