Shocking Revelation: New List of Unclaimed Estates of Deceased Nigerians in the UK Released

The United Kingdom recently released an updated list of deceased people with unclaimed estates.

As gleaned from information made public, these unclaimed estates belong to individuals from various countries, and Nigeria is one of them. The list released has a total of 5806 unclaimed estates, and 58 of the people on the list are Nigerians.

How Do Unclaimed Estates Come To Be

The often-overlooked tragic side of seeking greener pastures, wanting a better life, and migrating is that many people lose contact with their relatives. It’s a heartbreaking tale of lost relationships, connections, lives, traditions, and cultures.

Sometimes, the owners of these properties go to Nigeria and die there without writing a will or appointing a next of kin. Sadly, in the absence of a will, the assets left behind by the dead are categorised as bona vacantia, or ownerless goods, and pass into Crown control.

Estates are removed when they have been claimed or when the estate is past the 30-year deadline. The arm of the government that manages the estates of those who die without a next of kin or will is the BVD.

How Do You Claim An Estate?

To be able to claim an estate, you will need to prove your relationship with the deceased. There is an order of entitlement provided by the United Kingdom government.

• Spouse or civil partner
• Children, grandchildren, and further direct descendants
• Parents
• Full siblings or their children (nieces and nephews)
• Half-siblings or their children
• Grandparents
• Uncles and aunts or their children (first cousins)
• Half-uncles and half-aunts or their children (first cousins of the half blood)
• To break it down, an aunt can only claim if no closer relatives, like a spouse or children exist. Additionally, estates are divided according to this priority in the absence of a legal will.

These are some Nigerian names on the list: 

• John Uzoma, 14/07/2016, Camden London NW3, (marital status unknown)
• Akinlolu Olaniran Williams, 26/07/2013, Sheffield South Yorkshire, Bachelor
• Akinola Williams, 16/02/2008, Northampton Northamptonshire, Widower
• Nathaniel Babatunde Williams, 22/02/2009, Birmingham West Midlands, Bachelor
• Samuel Ademola Williams, 21/01/2016, Wanstead London E11, Bachelor
• Salihu Ajadi Yusuff, 4/1/2017, Leeds West Yorkshire, (marital status unknown)
• Charles Dixon, 4/8/2018, Basingstoke Hampshire, (marital status unknown)
• Enwukwe Graham Kwedi Ede, 6/1/2011, Lambeth London SE1, (marital status unknown)
• Sunny Eyo Edem, 16/09/2011, Ilford Essex, Widow
• Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, 15/08/2001, Birmingham West Midlands, Bachelor
• Bose Abosede Elizabeth Fige, 4/5/2008, Paddington London W2, Spinster
• Samuel William MacAuley Godwin, 25/02/2010, Lambeth London SE1, Bachelor
• Salamatu Harford, (date of death unspecified), South Norwood London SE25, Widow
• Louisa Holmes, 24/05/2021, Cheam Sutton, Spinster
• Tamunokombia Morris Isodiki, (date of death unspecified), Camden London NW1, Single man
• Oyinoluwa Ttijesulase Jesugoodness, 4/5/2011, Tottenham London N15, (marital status unknown)
• Ibidun Johnson, 14/02/2003, Peckham London SE15, (marital status unknown)
• William Kadry, (date of death unspecified), Fulham London SW6, Bachelor
• Victoria Myers, 7/8/2010, St. Johns Wood London NW8, Widow

It is imperative for people who have relatives on this list to make their claim on the estate before it is too late to do so.