It is more than three decades since the renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony died. But the massive wealth, which some said was worth over 50 billion dollars, that he left to be shared among his family and selected institutions has remained in contention. Frustrated after several years of legal battle, family members accused banks and some individuals they referred to as imposters as deliberately frustrating the execution of the will as recognised by the court.
Recounting how it all started, 68-year-old Queen Irene Cole, who claim to be the spokesperson and Executive Probated Trustee of the Estate of Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony told Saturday Sun that her wish is to be alive and ensure that the will of his godfather is fulfilled.
“Sir Bank-Anthony transited on May 26, 1991 and in tune with his archetypal humanitarian ideals, left the bulk of his over $50 billion (USD) worth of estate (in Nigeria, UK, USA and Isle of Jersey) benefits that he established for eternity, for some institutional and other named beneficiaries: as the inevitable successors of his shining legacies, vide his last Will and Testament dated April 10, 1991. The will was proved and registered in court, in the Lagos on April 7, 1993 and verified at the Probate Registry. Ikeja.
“In his last will of April 10, 1991, Sir Bank-Anthony nominated trustees, only Dr Kuti got probated (at the time) after the transition of some original trustees.
“However, the will bars a single trustee from acting solely. At this juncture, the other individuals teamed up to give a facade of being properly in charge. They then proceeded to coldly bilk the estate’s large concerns in Nigeria, the UK and the Isles of Jersey for over 29 years, at the expense of all named institutional beneficiaries and worthy causes that were dear to the heart of Sir Bank Anthony.
“It became a free for all as each one appropriated what he or she could reach before the other. Beyond criminal negligence, the strong threads of collusion in this respect, are linked to Bankers, Registrars and certain persons in the shadows.
“In all of these, not even one property was renovated. Instead, the cherished “Fountain Pen” house where Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony lived and died was handed over to a developer for N5 million at Ikoyi and nothing for the beneficiaries to date.
