The Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee, has organized a stakeholders’ sensitization forum to educate and enlighten the public on their rights to seek assistance in matters of inheritance. The forum emphasized that individuals have the right to approach the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee to obtain an official letter and report cases of deceased persons who left inheritance documents. This measure is aimed at safeguarding the rights of children and their inheritance from unscrupulous relatives who may attempt to usurp their property and displace them and their mothers from their homes.
This initiative was disclosed yesterday during the Stakeholders’ Sensitization Forum held at the Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), recounted the case of a widow whose husband passed away, leaving her and her children vulnerable after they were chased out of their home. Upon reporting the matter to the Office of the Administrator-General, the office intervened, ensuring the recovery of the family’s properties and enabling the children to further their education abroad.
Mr. Pedro emphasized that women and children in possession of valid inheritance documents should face no obstacles in seeking assistance from the state government. He noted that this awareness campaign is part of the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to ensure the public understands the importance of creating a will and appointing executors for property management.
He further explained that when a person dies without leaving a will (intestate), no one is legally permitted to manage or administer the deceased’s estate without obtaining a Letter of Administration. Such a letter can be granted to the deceased’s adult children or siblings. By order of the court, at least two individuals may be appointed as administrators of the estate.
Mr. Pedro also highlighted the role of the statutory office created by law to mediate in cases where disputes arise within families over estate administration. He explained that in the absence of agreement, the law vests the estate in the Chief Judge of the state, who administers it through the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee.
Earlier at the forum, the former Administrator-General and Public Trustee, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, delivered a lecture on the theme, “Enhancing Public Trust: Repositioning the Office of the Administrator-General for Improved Service Delivery.” She stressed the need for administrators to streamline processes for beneficiaries, making the system more accessible and trustworthy.
Mrs. Rotimi pointed out the prolonged delays in estate administration in Nigeria compared to other countries. In the United States, for example, such matters are processed within 6 to 8 weeks, while in Nigeria, the process can take several years. She urged stakeholders to address this issue holistically and recommended that sensitization forums be held quarterly rather than annually.
Another facilitator, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde (SAN), emphasized the need for robust estate management policies in Lagos State to prevent the unlawful takeover of beneficiaries’ inheritance. He stated that the Office of the Administrator-General must be empowered to act decisively against illegal attempts to seize others’ property.
Mr. Ogunde posed a critical question: “Is Lagos State bold enough to establish the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee as a statutory agency?”
The forum served as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance public trust and improve service delivery in estate administration.