The Government of the United Kingdom has released the names of at least 56 Nigerians who died in the country and have properties including estates yet to be claimed.
Business Day reported that the list was on the UK government’s Treasury Solicitor website.
Among the names listed are 56 Nigerians officially recorded to have died between 1996 and 2021 in the United Kingdom.
The unclaimed estates have a 30-year time limit from the date of death before it is removed if no one comes for it.
According to the report, the UK government said it would by December 2022, forfeit some of the assets belonging to Nigerians who died in the UK within the last 30 years.
Sadly for most of the deceased, there was little information on relatives to whom their assets may be transferred.
According to data from UK Treasury Solicitor and last updated on September 8, 2022, one of the Nigerians identified is Julius Taiwo, died on July 19, 1995, at Derby Derbyshire, UK.
A familiar name on the list is a certain Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, said to have died on August 15, 2001, in Birmingham, with the information on his death listed as the Birmingham City Council.
The list also includes a certain Nigerian, Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh, that died on February 5, 1998, in Chiswick, London and is thought to have different variations in the spelling of his name.
Information on file indicates that he may have been married in December 1959 (place unknown) and had 4 children from the marriage.
One of the affected persons and the oldest among them, Mark Nwogo, was said to have been born in Delta State Nigeria but died December 9, 1992, in the UK.
Amongst several others, recent Nigerians who died in the UK with properties unclaimed are Solomon Adekanmibi who died on January 31, 2021, in Colchester, Essex; Eugene Bucknor, who died on March 2, 2021, in Brockley, London; Jeff Adhekeh, who died on March 12, 2021, in South Kensington, London and Louisa Holmes, who died on May 24, 2021, in Cheam Sutton.
Download the full list here and here.
What to do if you have a claim
The govt said those with claims to any of the listed names will have to provide details of the relationship.
The UK noted that: “If you are, for example, a first cousin of the deceased, you would only be entitled to share in the estate if there are no relatives above you in the order of entitlement, for example, a niece or nephew.”
Other details on how to make a claim are shown here.
