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World Exclusive: Belgian Appeal Court Gives Judgment on Amb. Deinde Fernandez’s Estate

Published

3 years ago

April 3, 2021

Eric

By Michael Effiong

When he died in Brussels, Belgium on September 1, 2015, enigmatic business behemoth, man of means, internationally-respected billionaire and diplomat, Chief Ambassador Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez would never have imagined that six years after, his family would be engulfed in a ferocious battle over his estate.

The Fernandez Family Feud which had probably been simmering for years reached boiling point when he passed on. His Kano-born wife, Halima Adebisi Fernandez, who was at his bed side when he took his last breath, is facing stiff opposition from his children and family members.

Indeed, this war of attrition almost ruined the funeral service and burial at the Cimetiere d’ixelles in Brussels of the Pan-African leader and Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations.

The aftermath was a public spat between Halima and one of the daughters, Abimbola and it was inevitable that the parties will take their family squabbles to court.

After years of battling at the lower courts, the Court of Appeal in Belgium on March, 25, 2021 decided on this mega case-and from documents exclusively obtained by The Boss, Halima has had the last laugh as the court ruled significantly in her favour!

THE BACKGROUND

Before this court victory, Abimbola, the youngest child of the giant business mogul with an unmistakable booming voice, had gone public about the family’s issues.

According to Abimbola, “Upon hearing the news that our father had passed to glory, we went straight to Brussels same day. When I arrived, I dropped my bags at the hotel and went directly to see my sister, Antoinette at the hospital to say goodbye to our father one last time.

“Our visit was brief and entailed no communication from Halima – not even an invite to our late father’s home. We were told very little information regarding the existence of a will, who is in charge of dad’s estate, funeral plans, and what will be done with sentimental valuables.

“Despite what many people want to think, us children frequented Belgium to visit our father. After losing my mother, Sandra Price, aka Aduke Fernandez, it really put life into perspective for me and really made me value every second with loved ones.

“The last time I had a friendly conversation with Halima was November 2014. Nothing since then, until the call about dad which I wouldn’t even describe as friendly.

“Once the children returned home, we all kept in touch as to figure out the next steps. Dad’s last wishes were to be buried back home in Lagos. This was made clear to Halima amongst many others.

“Our sisters Teju & Gbemi were planning a fitting burial for a king as per dad’s request. We were all under that impression and getting passports, visas etc ready to fly to Nigeria to bury our dad.

“After two weeks I received a phone call from a close friend of our father who informed me that he received a formal invite by mail and phone to dad’s funeral in Belgium. I immediately called my siblings who were gob smacked at the plan put in place to bury our father without our participation, permission and most importantly without inviting us. I don’t know how anyone with sound mind can invite all of dad’s friends to his funeral and not his children

“My siblings tried to reason with Halima to no avail evidently because dad indeed was buried in Brussels against his wishes.

“The day of the funeral, Halima had arranged for the children to be picked up in a shuttle bus while she rode in a Rolls Royce Phantom. Dad owned numerous luxury vehicles such as Bentley, Rolls and Maybach. He had more than enough cars to fit his children and their friends & family but per Halima’s organization, we followed in the bus.

No one had seen the funeral programme until the night before and some of us the day of the service. We scrambled to include readings from us children as many of us were excluded and not even asked to speak at our own father’s funeral.

“The service wasn’t fitting for the king our father is and our opinions read on all of our faces. What struck me as unnecessarily evil was towards the end of Halima’s eulogy she said something along the lines of “and I know you are up there with the only woman whom you really loved, Barbara Joyce” his late ex wife.

“In poor taste, she decides to purposely take a dig at me by excluding my late mother. She took another as we stood at the graveside and she asked all children by name except myself and Antoinette, if we had anything to say in memory of our loving father.

“Chosen siblings went the next day to our father’s home to speak to Halima and try and get a sense of the direction things were going in. She gave them a document and told them not to share it with the rest of the family for 40 days. Of course we now know we only had 40 days to submit time-sensitive information partaking to our father’s estate. Another trick. No words have been exchanged with her since.

“Currently Halima is laying claim to parts of dad’s affairs, on what grounds, I have no idea. We have yet to see any proof of a legal marriage. She is legally fighting us children and has only recently moved out of dad’s home after a detailed inventory was taken to prevent theft of his belongings which by Belgian law belong to his children.

“After the said inventory is when she took to twitter to tweet her horrific slander towards us born with American mothers. She has also gone as far as to publicly say on twitter that our father only has 1 legitimate daughter (he has 6), I do not have the right to use the title HIH which as a child of my father I do, referring to my mother as a wh*re who’s ashes need to be buried as well as plenty of other filth.

“I believe in preserving our father’s legacy but this woman has already ruined it. She is slandering his children to anyone and everyone that will listen, publicly and privately. People speak of not retaliating with her but enough is enough. I am an orphan and I am protecting my mother’s honor as any loving child would. My father was the first to say “Do not take nonsense from anyone” and that, I shall not.

We would like to be left alone to grieve over our father, settle his affairs and take him home to rest”

THE LOWER COURT

The legal tussle ultimately began when Mrs. Halima Fernandez approached the Family Court of Brussels in her quest to execute his will and her wish was granted on February 16, 2017.

She also requested for a Notary, Mr Deschamps to be appointed to proceed with the operations of liquidation-division of the estate. For some inexplicable reasons, Mr Deschamps refused to take on the responsibility of division of the estate as required and thus, Mrs. Halima Fernandez headed to court for the appointment of another Notary.

While she was awaiting the court’s verdict, Mr. Anthony Fernandez, son of the legendary man of fine taste, filed a suit opposing that prayer and challenged it on behalf of his other siblings.

The case was decided on December 21, 2017 and the court pronounced that the opposition against Mrs Halima Fernandez was well-founded and then further declared that because she did not establish her status as a widow, nor the universal quality of the deceased to which she was claiming, as such, her request for replacement of the notary was not applicable.

THE APPEAL COURT

It was based on this that Mrs Halima headed to the Court of Appeals of Brussels, 43^rd Chamber, Family Chamber. The case with serial number: 2018/FA/54, Reference No: 2021/255 was heard.

Halima Adebisi Fernandez was the Plaintiff while Mr Anthony Fernandez, Mrs Darnel Abimbola Olumegbon Fernandez, Mr Augustus Adekoyejo Oladipupo Fernandez, Mrs Antoinnete Oyinkansola Fernandez, Mrs Olateju Maria Phillips, Mrs Olugbemisola Frernandez and Mr Alexander Akintokinbo Olanrewaju where Defendants while Mrs Sandra Atinuke Olufunlola Fernandez and Mrs Chritiana Funmilayo Titilola Fernandez were Respondents.

While Halima Fernandez who was accompanied by her Counsel, Mr. Luis F. de Castro wanted the court to nullify the judgment of December 21, 2017, recognize her status as widow and sole beneficiary of the Estate as well as appoint a Notary to proceed with the liquidation and sharing operations, the children who were represented by Mr. Henri Bartholomeeusen said her claims were unfounded. As expected both parties presented their motions and counter motions for the consideration of the court.

For Mrs Halima Fernandez, she had contended that she was in deed married to the late Fernandez who was regarded as the guardian of prosperity and panache.

She affirmed that on October 23, 2003, she was married to the very colourful and classy Fernandez in Kano (Islamic) and through the native law and customs in Lagos.

Halima then stated that the Belgian National Register mentions her as being married to Fernandez since October 23, 2003 and no other marriage is mentioned in regards to the late Fernandez.

That was not all, she contended that she was the sole heir in the execution of the will which the late Fernandez made.

The will produced by Mrs. Fernandez was written on the back of a menu bearing the name of Mr. Oladeinde Fernandez during a dinner served to him on August 24, 2015, while he was hospitalized at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc

She produced a document that showed that his last will was written on that August 24, 2015 behind a menu card where the late billionaire referred to her as the “The Real wife”.

She also said that the date on the menu is wrong only in respect of year which she believed would not affect its validity.

Mrs Fernadez maintained that the document titled “Solemnization of Marriage” of November 6, 1982 which was referred to in a Paris Court of Appeal Judgment in a case between Fernandez and then wife, Sandra Aduke Fernandez was a forgery and requested a postponement to produce a certificate of proof which she claimed was locked in a safe in Kano, Nigeria.

On their path, the children contended that Mrs Halima Fernandez was never legally married to their father. According to them as at the time she claimed to have been married to him, she was still legally married to Mrs Sandra Inett Price Aduke Fernandez.

The averred that Fernandez married Aduke on November 6, 1982 in Oyo and the wedding documents was signed by the Alafin of Oyo.

They also stated that the judgment of the Paris Court Appeal of September 27, 2007 in a case between Antonio and Aduke showed that this marriage existed and they tendered documents.

The family also presented evidence that the children of Antonia and Aduke mentioned both of them as their parents. They produced the the birth certificate of one of the children, Mrs Darnel Abimbola Olumegbon Fernandez and the certificate mentions Sandra Price Fernandez as “his wife’

The court was also made to understand that in a notarized act drawn up in Paris on April, 1993 entitled” Donation by Fernandez to his wife”, the late Fernandez donated to Sandra Price (Aduke) Fernandez the Castle of Bois Fuillette in Oise (France). They averred that the marriage of November 6, 1982 was specifically mentioned.

In addition, a Notarized Act of May 23, 2003 by which Mr Fernandez revoked the donation made to his wife also mentioned the marriage.

Again, the Fernandez couple signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 21, 2003 putting an end to various divorce proceedings initiated before a Scottish Court.

In the children’s opinion, Mr Fernandez, a Belgian National was married to Aduke as at October 2003, therefore any other supposed marriage would amount to bigamy according to Belgian law.

The Respondents also contested the validity of the Will because its date is partially crossed out and illegible, and in any case false, according to them.

Another argument they brought forward was that Fernandez was no longer of clear mind during the final days before his death on September 1, 2015. And also the impossibility of identifying the person who had been awarded.

THE PROCEEDINGS

The stage was therefore set for the court to consider the points presented by both sides. The first thing the Court considered was the issue of legibility and jurisdiction.

The late Chief Fernandez, according to records was a Belgian National since 2002 and domiciled in Ixelles, Belgium. The Belgian courts therefore adjudged that it had jurisdiction to the claims relating to the inheritance of his estate in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation No. 65/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council of Jurisdiction.

In the view of the court, the marriage on which Mrs Halima Fernandez relies on was contracted on October 23, 2003 in Nigeria before entry into force of the Belgian Code of Private International Law.

Consequently, in order to determine the laws applicable to the conditions of this marriage, it was necessary to refer to Articles 170 and 170^th of the Civil Code. According to the former article 170 of the Civil Code, the law of the country of celebration of the marriage determines its formal requirements, i.e. in this case the Nigerian law.

The court stated that evidence before it showed that Aduke Fernandez had in Scotland made a divorce request on May 29, 2003 before the court of Edinburgh with regard to the situation of their matrimonial home.

As a consequence of that court matter, Aduke and Antonio Fernandez signed an MOU under which terms, Mr Fernandez undertook to pay his wife various sums as alimony and maintenance charges and on the other hand to transfer the Castle in Drumsheugh Gardens and the furniture worth over 300,000 pounds to his wife.

The court papers of that landmark multi-million divorce case in Scotland revealed that Aduke sought a lump sum payment of five million pounds and an allowance of 75,000 pounds a month for three years, as well as sale of their interests in oil wells, gold and diamond mines.

She also wanted 2000 pounds per month for Abimbola who was then below sixteen as well as all fees, extra accounts in relation to her education.

The court also stated that like the children alleged, as at 2007 when the couple were battling at the Paris Court of Appeal, Aduke was still married to Fernandez, though the Scottish divorce proceedings filed by Aduke may have muddied this contention.

It further said that the late Fernandez did not contest his marriage with Aduke before the Paris Court of Appeal which led to the judgment taken by the court on the matter.

In addition, Mrs Fernandez has had ample time since the court’s order of August 19,2020 to retrieve the document she said invalidates Aduke’s marriage which she said was in a safe in Kano, Nigeria but had not done so.

Insisting that in the opinion of the court, the document by Mrs Halima Fernandez could not even invalidate all other relevant documents on the matter as noted by the Paris Court of Appeal.

Based on the submission from Paris, the Belgian Court believed that it may also be noted that the marriage on which Mrs. Halima Fernandez relies on would also contravene the provisions of the Nigerian Marriage Act.

Indeed, according to section 33 (1) of this law, “No marriage in Nigeria shall be valid if any of the parties at the time of solemnization of such marriage is married under customary law to a person other than the person with whom such marriage is contracted”; according to section 39, it exposes her to criminal sanctions.

The court stated “As we have seen, Mr. OLADEINDE FERANANDEZ had contracted in 1982 in Nigeria, a customary marriage with Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ.

“Admittedly, Mrs. FERNANDEZ notes that the Belgian national register mentions that she was married to Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ since October 23, 2003, and the same register refers to a marriage contracted in Nigeria, in Kano.

“However, the court is not bound by the decision of the Registrar who agreed to recognize this marriage⁴.

“Moreover, it appears that no other marriage is mentioned with regard to Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, which suggests that it was in ignorance of the still ongoing union of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ with Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ in October 2003 that a marriage with Mrs. FERNANDEZ was considered.

“The court also notes that it is not known on the basis of which act or other document the existence of a marriage between Mrs. FERNANDEZ and Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ was transcribed or registered in Belgium and that Mrs. FERNANDEZ is particularly confused in her explanations since she claims to have contracted an Islamic marriage with Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in Kano (Kano State), while at the same time claiming to have contracted a customary marriage with Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in Lagos State.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that, although for other reasons, the decision should be confirmed insofar as it refused to recognize Mrs. FERNANDEZ as the sole heir of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ

“Neither the photographs produced, nor the attribution of the name FERNANDEZ to the plaintiff, nor the title of Baroness of Dudley (which Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ also held) could lead to any other decision”

The court went on to say that the substantive conditions including in interpretation of the will produced by Halima must be assessed in the light of Belgian Law.

Noting that this Will could not have been drawn up before August 24, 2015 and that the Children had maintained without showing proof that Fernandez was no longer clear minded.

It went on to state “A will with a wrong date is not necessarily invalid. The erroneous date may be corrected when intrinsic and/or extrinsic elements make it possible to determine it, or even to determine only the period during which the will was made when there is no reason to determine a precise date; Such will be the case, in particular, when there is no reason to suppose that the testator was affected by insanity of mind during that period”.

Adding that an error regarding the year by Fernandez is not sufficient to consider that he lacked capacity especially as Mrs Halima Fernandez had presented a document by Dr. Goffin, Head of Nephrology, Cliniques Universitairies Saint-Luc certifying that the late Fernandez had full mental capacity but only had difficulties with mobility of his hands.

The court also asserted that the holographic Will drawn up by Fernandez who was well grounded in Yoruba Culture was to avoid disputes which unfortunately had now occurred.

According to the court, Fernandez clearly considered Halima as his wife. He treated her as such, she bore his name, they lived together and it is not disputed that she was at his bedside during the last days of his life.

In the view of the court, Halima was described as “my wife” by the late beneficiary and not the sole beneficiary of his estate.

It then stated emphatically that though to the Children’s claims that their father was married five times, his fifth wife being Mrs. Sandra Price Fernandez is correct, but she died in 2013 and therefore cannot have been included in the will drawn up in 2015.

Adding “ In any case, there is no reason to believe that, by naming “my real wife” as universal legatee, Mr. Oladeinde Fernandez intended to designate one of his previous wives or someone other than Mrs. Fernandez.

THE JUDGMENT

The Court began by affirming that without being prejudicial to the rights of the legal heirs of Fernandez, it is clear that Mrs. Halima Fernandez is the universal legatee of the deceased.

It stated that Halima’s request for the appointment of a notary in order to proceed with the liquidation and sharing of the estate is admissible and well-founded.

The court asserted that Halima cannot claim to be the sole heir of Fernandez who died in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert on 1^st September, 2015.

It also confirmed the decision of February 16, 2017 that Mrs. Halima Adebisi Fernandez has the right of holding of the account, liquidation and sharing of the Fernandez estate

The court also went on to appoint Maitre Gaétan Bleeckx, whose office is on 1060 Brussels, place Maurice van Meenen, 2 to act a Notary for the purpose of liquidation of the Estate and related matters.

It also urged each of the parties to pay for their costs of procedures and appeal.

The judgement was delivered on March 25, 2021 and signed by the following: I. Ruydts (President of the Chamber, Judge of Appeal For the Family), M. De Graef (Judge of Appeal for the Famy) and A de Poortere (Substitute )

FIND BELOW THE CASE IN FULL

In the case of:
Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ,

Plaintiff,
Appearing in person, accompanied by her counsel Mr. Luis F. de CASTRO, lawyer whose office is situated in 1050 Brussels, Avenue Louise, 50;

Defendant:
Mr. Anthony FERNANDEZ,

Mrs. Darnel Abimbola Olumegbon FERNANDEZ

Mr. Augustus Adekoyejo Oladipupoo FERNANDEZ

Mrs. Antoinette Oyinkansola FERNANDEZ

Mrs. Olateju Maria PHILIPS,

Mrs. Olugbemisola FERNANDEZ,

Mr. Alexander Akintokunbo OLANREWAJU,

Respondents,

Represented by their counsel, Mr. Henri BARTHOLOMEEUSEN, whose office is located in Brussels, Rue de Stassart, 117, box 9.

Mrs. Sandra Atinuke Olufunlola FERNANDEZ, without known address, residence or any known elected official residence in Belgium,

Respondent,

Did not appear in court, nor did anyone appearing on her behalf;

Mrs. Christiana Funmilayo Titola FERNANDEZ, without known address, residence or any known elected official residence in Belgium,

Respondent,

Did not appear in court, nor did anyone appearing on her behalf;

Having regarded the documents in the proceedings, in particular:

The judgment thereby, pronounced contradictory with regard to Mr. Anthony FERNANDEZ and Ms. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ and by default with regard to the other parties by the Family Court of the French-speaking Court of First Instance of Brussels on December 21, 2017, of which no writ of service is produced;

– The January 23, 2018 petition for appeal;

– The order of August 19, 2020, taken pursuant to Article 748, & 2 of the Judicial Code;

– The summary conclusions of the respondents’ summary of the respondents’ no’s 1 to 7 delivered to the clerk of the court on October 30, 2020;

– The summary conclusions of the plaintiff delivered to the clerk’s office of the court on December 30, 2020.

l. The purpose of the application and appeal

1.
The dispute concerns the estate of Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, of Belgian nationality (since May 8, 2002), born in Lagos (Nigeria) on August 12, 1936 and deceased in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert on September 1, 2015.

2.
Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ had nine children, the present respondents.

The plaintiff, Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ, of Nigerian nationality, born in Kano (Nigeria) on March 9, 1969, claim to have married Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in Nigeria on October 23, 2003.

The respondents’ no’s 1 to 7 contest the existence of this marriage, which they claim could not in any case be taken into account, because of bigamy in the case of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ.

Respondents’ no’s 1 to 7 contests the validity of this will.

3.
Originally, the Family Court of Brussels was seized with the request of Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ, directed against the nine children of Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, seeking, in substance, to have the notary DESCHAMPS appointed to proceed with the operations of liquidation-division of the estate.

4.
By a first judgment of February 16, 2017, pronounced by default with respect to the nine children of Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, the family court ordered the holding of liquidation-sharing operations and appointed the notary DESCHAMPS to proceed therewith

The notary DESCHAMPS having not accepted the mission, Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ has applied to the court for a replacement of the notary.

In addition, one of Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ’s sons, Mr. Anthony FERNANDEZ, filed an opposition against the judgment of 16 February, 2017;

The judgment undertaken on 21 December, 2017, ruled on these two claims.

6.
The first judge found the opposition to be well-founded. It set aside the judgment pronounced by default on 16 February, 2017 and declared the original claim of Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ inadmissible, on the grounds that she did not establish her status as a widow, nor the universal quality of the deceased to which she was claiming.

The original request of Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ having been declared inadmissible, the first judge said that the request for replacement of the notary was not applicable.

7.
Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ request the court to nullify the judgment of December 21, 2017 and:

– To recognize her status as widow and sole beneficiary of Mr Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ.
– To appoint a notary to proceed with the liquidation and sharing operations.

The respondents no’s 1 to 7 concluded that the appeal is unfounded.

8.
By an order of August 19, 2020, issued pursuant to Article 748, & 2 of the Judicial Code, final deadlines for the preparation of the case were set, taking into account a new document produced by the Respondents no’s 1 to 7.

II. Discussion

International Jurisdiction of the Belgian Courts

9.
The last habitual residence of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, who since 21 April, 2015 was domiciled at Ixelles, was in Belgium.

The Belgian courts therefore have jurisdiction to hear the claims relating to the liquidation of the inheritance of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ’s estate, in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation No. 65/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of judgments, acceptance and enforcement of authentic instruments in matters of inheritance and on the creation of a European Certificate of Inheritance.

Law applicable to the formal and substantive requirements of a possible marriage celebrated in Nigeria in October 2003.

10.
The marriage on which Mrs FERNANDEZ relies was, according to her, contracted on 23 October 2003 in Nigeria, i.e. before the entry into force of the Belgian Code of Private International Law.

Consequently, in order to determine the laws applicable to the formal and substantive conditions of this marriage, it is necessary to refer to the former articles 170 and 170th of the Civil Code.

According to the former article 170 of the Civil Code, the law of the country of celebration of the marriage determines its formal requirements, i.e. in this case the Nigerian law.

According to the former article 170th of the Civil Code, marriages celebrated abroad are “as to substance, valid in Belgium if the contracting parties have satisfied the conditions prescribed by their personal statutes for contracting a marriage, on penalty of nullity”.

Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ had Belgian nationality since 8 May, 2002.

The validity of a marriage that he allegedly contracted on 23 October, 2003 in Nigeria must therefore be assessed, as far as he is concerned, on the basis of the substantive conditions prescribed under penalty of nullity by Belgian law.

As regards Mrs. FERNANDEZ, of Nigerian nationality, the substantive conditions of the marriage she mentions must be assessed on the basis of Nigerian law.

11.
According to respondents’ no’s 1 to 7, the alleged marriage of the deceased with the plaintiff is in any case not valid, since it would be a bigamous marriage and would contravene the principle of public order of article 147 of the Belgian Civil Code, according to which “one cannot contract a second marriage before the dissolution of the first”.

They maintain that Mr. Antonio OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ had married in Nigeria, on 6 November, 1982 to Mrs. Sandra Inett Aduke PRICE FERNANDEZ, and that as at 2003, he was still married to her, as it would appear from the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal of September 27, 2007, which they tendered.

12.
This judgment of 27 September, 2007, was handed down by the Paris Court of Appeal in a dispute between Ms. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ and OLADIENDE FERNANDEZ, concerning protective measures ordered on the basis of Article 20 of European Regulation No. 2201/2003 of 7 November, 2003, concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, on the one hand, and Article 220-1 of the French Civil Code1, on the other.

13.
Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ disputed before the Paris Court of Appeal that he had married Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ in 1982.

However, in its decision of September 27, 2007, the Court of Appeal of Paris noted:

– That Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ married Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ on November 6, 1982, “according to a customary marriage in Oyo in Nigeria, as it appears from the act entitled “solemnization of a customary marriage” of the same day, emanating from the State of Oyo in

Nigeria, and signed by the Alafin, customary chief of this province, a document whose authenticity is not disputed;

– that the birth certificates of the two children of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ and Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ mentioned that their parents are married; the respondents no’s 1 to 7 produced before this court the birth certificate of one of these children, Mrs. Darnel Abimbola Olumegbon FERNANDEZ, and this certificate mentions that Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ is “his wife”,

– that by a notarized act drawn up in Paris on April 6, 1993, entitled “donation by Mr. FERNANDEZ to his wife”, Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ made a donation to Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ of the castle of Bois Feuillette in Oise (France) and that this act “expressly mentions the customary marriage of 6 November, 1982 on the civil status of the two parties”;

– that the notarized act of 23 May, 2003 “by which Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ revoked this donation made to his wife also mentions this marriage”;

– that Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ had introduced in Scotland a request for divorce on 29 May, 2003 “before the court of Edinburgh, territorially competent with regard to the situation of the matrimonial home”;

– that “the FERNANDEZ couple” signed a memorandum of understanding on 21 August, 2003 putting an end to the various divorce proceedings initiated by the wife before the Scottish court;

– that under the terms of this memorandum of understanding Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ “(…) undertook, on the one hand, to pay to his wife various sums as alimony and maintenance charges, and on the other hand to ” transfer the castle and the furniture to his wife “,

– that no other divorce proceedings were in progress between the parties.

The preceding elements allow us to conclude that, as the respondents no’s 1 to 7 pointed out, Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ was indeed still married to Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ in 2007, when the Paris Court of Appeal heard the above-mentioned dispute, and that he was therefore also married in October 2003.

A possible marriage of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, of Belgian nationality, contracted in October 2003 with the plaintiff, would therefore necessarily be bigamous and no effect can be recognized in Belgium to such a union, which contravenes the Belgian international public order2.

14.
At the court hearing of 21 January, 2021, Mrs. FERNANDEZ certainly maintained that the document titled “Solemnization of a customary marriage” of 6 November, 1982, which is referred to in the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal, was a forgery. She requested a postponement of the case in order to be able to produce a certificate proving this, which is in a safe in Nigeria, in Kano, but which she would not be able to produce, for lack of being able to go to Nigeria because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The court noted that Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ did not however contest the authenticity of this customary marriage certificate before the Paris Court of Appeal, which the judgment of this court expressly noted.

In addition, Mrs. FERNANDEZ has had the necessary time since the court’s order of 19 August, 2020, to retrieve the document in question, if necessary by seeking the intervention of a trusted third party.

Furthermore, assuming that this document exists, it could not contradict the other relevant elements, also noted by the Court of Appeal of Paris, and largely confirming the existence of the marriage of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ with Mrs. PRICE FERNANDEZ.

Therefore, there is no reason to reopen the proceedings in order to allow Mrs. FERNANDEZ to produce the certificate that she claims to have.

15.
It may also be noted that the marriage on which Mrs. FERNANDEZ relies would also contravene the provisions of the Nigerian Marriage Act.

As we have seen, Mr. OLADEINDE FERANANDEZ had contracted in 1982 in Nigeria, a customary marriage with Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ.

16.

Admittedly, Mrs. FERNANDEZ notes that the Belgian national register mentions that she was married to Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ since October 23, 2003, and the same register refers to a marriage contracted in Nigeria, in Kano.

However, the court is not bound by the decision of the registrar who agreed to recognize this marriage⁴.

Moreover, it appears that no other marriage is mentioned with regard to Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, which suggests that it was in ignorance of the still ongoing union of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ with Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ in October 2003 that a marriage with Mrs. FERNANDEZ was considered.

The court also notes that it is not known on the basis of which act or other document the existence of a marriage between Mrs. FERNANDEZ and Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ was transcribed or registered in Belgium and that Mrs. FERNANDEZ is particularly confused in her explanations since she claims to have contracted an Islamic marriage with Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in Kano (Kano State), while at the same time claiming to have contracted a customary marriage with Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in Lagos State.

17.
From the foregoing, it is clear that, although for other reasons, the decision should be confirmed insofar as it refused to recognize Mrs. FERNANDEZ as the sole heir of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ.

Neither the photographs produced, nor the attribution of the name FERNANDEZ to the plaintiff, nor the title of Baroness of Dudley (which Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ also held) could lead to any other decision.

The Will

18.
Mrs. FERNANDEZ also contends that she is the sole heir of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, in execution of a will he allegedly made on August 24, 2015.

According to the document produced, written in a handwriting that is difficult to read, the last wishes of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ were to bequeath his estate to his “real wife” (read his “real wife” or, according to the respondents no’s 1 to 7, his “real wife”).

The respondents no’s 1 to 7 contests the validity of this will because of:

– its date, partially crossed out and illegible, and in any case false according to them,
– the deterioration of the state of health of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ in the days preceding his death, which raises doubts about his capacity to write a will
– the impossibility of identifying the person who had been awarded.

19.
The substantive conditions (including its interpretation) and form of the will produced by Mrs. FERNANDEZ must be assessed in the light of Belgian law, in accordance with articles 24,§ 1st and 26 of Regulation No. 650/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council mentioned above, which is not contested by any of the parties.

Article 970 of the Civil Code5, and according to which a holographic will is not valid if it is not written in full, dated and signed by the hand of the testator, must be observed on penalty of nullity in accordance with Article 1001 of the same code.

According to article 901 of the Civil Code, one must be of sound mind to make a will.

20.
The will produced by Mrs. FERNANDEZ was written on the back of a menu bearing the name of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNABDEZ, relating to a dinner served to him on August 24, 2015, while he was hospitalized at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc.

The date affixed by Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ is partially crossed out, but it can be read as “25 august 19 (illegible crossing out – may be 8) 4”.

21.
Ms. FERNANDEZ believes that the date of the menu (August 24, 2015) allows for the fact that the date indicated by Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ is wrong only with respect to the year, which she believes would not affect the validity of the will.

A will with a wrong date is not necessarily invalid. The erroneous date may be corrected when intrinsic and/or extrinsic elements make it possible to determine it, or even to determine only the period during which the will was made when there is no reason to determine a precise date; Such will be the case, in particular, when there is no reason to suppose that the testator was affected by insanity of mind during that period⁶.

22.
In the present case, Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ’s will could not have been drafted before August 24, 2015.

Respondents no’s 1 t 7 maintained without showing that Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ was no longer clear minded during the final days before his death on September 1, 2015.

The use of an unusual medium or the error regarding the year indicated by Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ is not sufficient to consider that his capacity was necessarily impaired, especially since Ms. FERNANDEZ produced a certificate dated August 24, 2015, drawn up by Dr. GOFFIN, head of the nephrology department at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, certifying that Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ “has full mental capacity” (read has all his mental capacity”) but difficulties for the mobilization of his hands (“by contrast, he has lots of difficulties with the mobilization of his hands”).

As for the steps subsequently taken by Mrs. FERNANDEZ with the usual lawyer of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, with a view to drawing up an authentic will, they cannot have any impact on the assessment of the validity of the holographic will that Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ had already drawn up. Indeed, it can be considered that the purpose was to avoid the disputes that Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ could have feared and which did in fact occur.

23.
When the testator designates a legatee, that legatee must be identified or at least identifiable⁷.

M. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ did not name Mrs. FERNANDEZ as the sole beneficiary of his estate, but rather “my wife”.

However, Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ clearly considered Mrs. FERNANDEZ as his wife. He treated her as such, she bore his name, they lived together and it is not disputed that she was at his bedside during the last days of his life.

It is true that respondents no’s 1 to 7 mention that their father was married five times, his fifth wife being Mrs. Sandra PRICE FERNANDEZ, mentioned above. But she died in 2013 and therefore cannot have been included in the will drawn up in 2015. In any case, there is no reason to believe that, by naming “my real wife” as universal legatee, Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ intended to designate one of his previous wives or someone other than Mrs. FERNANDEZ.

24.
The decision taken will therefore be overturned insofar as it considers that Mrs. FERNANDEZ is not the legatee of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ.

The request for liquidation and sharing of the estate of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ

25.
Without this finding being prejudicial to the rights of the legal heirs of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, it is clear from the foregoing that Mrs. FERNANDEZ is the universal legatee of the deceased.

Her request for the appointment of a notary in order to proceed with the liquidation and sharing of the estate of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ is admissible and well-founded.

The judgment under appeal will also be overturned in that it nullified the judgment of which opposition was filed on February 16, 2017, which had granted this request by Mrs. FERNANDEZ.

Notary DESCAMPS, appointed by the decision of February 16, 2017, has indicated that he could not accept this assignment. It is therefore rightly that Mrs. FERNANDEZ requests the appointment of another notary.

The Costs

26.
Pursuant to article 1017, paragraph 4, of the Judicial Code, costs may be offset “to the extent assessed by the judge (…) if the parties are unsuccessful on any of the counts”.

In the present case, the parties are each unsuccessful on some of their claims.

Accordingly, costs should be offset in both proceedings, in that each party shall bear its own costs.

NOW THEREFORE,
THE COURT,

In accordance with Article 748, § 2 of the Judicial Code, rules contradictorily,

Having regard to article 24 of the law of 15 June 1935 on the use of languages in judicial matters,

Receives the appeal and grounds as follows;

Cancels the judgment underway, except insofar as it accepted the claims and ruled that Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ cannot claim to be the sole heir of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, who died in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert on 1st September, 2015.

Ruling again for the remainder,

Holds that in accordance with the testamentary dispositions taken by Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ, Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ is the universal legatee of his estate;

Confirms the decision of February 16, 2017, insofar as it ordered, at the request of Mrs. Halima Adebisi FERNANDEZ, the holding of the account, liquidation and sharing of the estate of Mr. OLADEINDE FERNANDEZ;

Appoints to proceed to these operations Maitre Gaétan BLEECKX, notary whose office is established in 1060 Brussels, place Maurice van Meenen, 2;

Delivers to each of the parties its costs of procedure and appeal.

This judgment was rendered by the 43rd chamber of the Court of Appeal of Brussels, Family Chamber, on 25 March 2021, composed of:

I. RUYDTS, president of the chamber, judge of appeal for the family,
M. DE GRAEF, counsellor, judge of appeal for the family,
A. de POORTERE, substitute magistrate

Original Court document Translated by: Lonniintrad Interpretation and Translation Agency.
37 Rue de Paris,
93000 Bobigny. Paris.

Headline

Ighodalo to Sue Oshiomole over ‘False, Defamatory and Malicious’ Comments, Demands N20bn

Published

3 days ago

September 17, 2024

Eric

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, has asked his lawyers to institute a suit against Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, over defamatory allegations.

Ighodalo said Oshiomole had accused him of involvement in “Planwell,” a ponzi scheme that surfaced in Edo state in the early 1990s.

“People of my age and even younger have not forgotten how Asue Ighodalo and all his associates were involved in what they call Planwell,” Oshiomole said during a campaign rally on Saturday.

“Planwell was set up as an institution where you deposit 10,000 in the morning by tomorrow it becomes 15,000, and after six months, people were defrauded, and the institution disappeared. And they became rich, and Edo people became pauperised.”

In a response to the allegations through his counsel, Ayo Asala, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ighodalo described Oshiomole’s comment as “false, defamatory, and malicious”.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends,” a letter by Ighodalo’s lawyer and addressed to Oshiomhole reads.

“This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past.

“Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain, and our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported ‘Planwell’ scheme with which you have seriously defamed our client’s reputation.

“It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said ‘Planwell’ scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo state gubernatorial elections.

“Our client has been inundated with calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your said allegations on electronic and social media, as a result of which our client has suffered enormous unwarranted reputational damage arising from the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor.”

Ighodalo is demanding “an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements, which should be published in at least two national television networks and three nationally circulating newspapers”.

“Pay to our client damages in the sum of 20 billion Naira for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements referred to herein,” the letter further stated.

“Take notice that it is our client’s instructions that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the sum of twenty (20) billion Naira (N20,000,000,000.00) for your said false, malicious, irresponsible, and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation whatsoever in fact.

“Further take notice that such action will be instituted without further notice or correspondence to you in that regard whatsoever.”

Headline

The World Celebrates Chief Gabriel Igbinedion at 90

Published

4 days ago

September 16, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It was that time of the year again when the world gathers in their numbers in the ancient city of Okada and Benin to celebrate a man of immense achievement.

The town of Okada and the beautiful city of Benin were agog one more time as the month of September approached. It was the birth month of one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs the Nigerian nation has ever produced. It was the birthday of the Esama of Benin and pioneer patriarch of the Okada Dynasty, Chief (Sir) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR, CON, KSJI, who clinched the nonagenarian trophy in grand style.

As always, the ebullient community leader, meticulous mentor and businessman extraordinaire left no stone unturned to treat himself to the best entertainment, drawing the who is whos in politics, entrepreneurship, entertainment and religion to the grand events making his 90th birthday.

Again, the Esama used the occasion of his birthday to centre all eyes on him, and did not hesitate to take up the opportunity to create another sizzling razzmatazz in hosting dignitaries and providing top notch treats; the type that would not only be mouthed, but proclaimed from the mountain tops for a long time to come.

According to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “Judging by the mammoth crowd that came to celebrate the occasion, his (Igbinedion) legacy in history is assured.”

It was a carnival-like event that ran a month long with preparations and activities that told a tale of a great man, gathering people of different class and creed from all parts of the world to celebrate the great Esama of Benin Kingdom.

A philanthropist of no mean repute, business mogul, and politician, Chief Igbinedion pulled all stop to ensure that this year’s celebration tagged “Jubilation”, and drawn from the Bible book of Psalms 126:3 sustains the carnival-like identity it has always been known for, while reflecting on testimonies of his numerous achievements in life.

With wholesome lineup of activities, the birthday celebrations held in various locations including his Benin palatial home and the prestigious Archangel Gabriel Catholic Church, along Sapele Road, where a thanksgiving mass was held.

Among the earliest callers at the Igbinedion residence were members of the governing council of the Igbinedion University, where notable officials took turns to eulogised the pacesetter of private universities in Nigeria. Among the officials present were the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Sheik Ahmed Abdulla, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, and the Chief Medical Director, IUCH, Dr Yau Abubakar Garawa.

Kicking off the activities as the occasion dovetailed into a weeklong event, on September 10, the residence of the Esama of Benin, who is also the Honorary Romania Consul to Edo and Delta States, became a beehive of activities with celebrations as different groups including the Igbaboleme Dancers under the aegis of Esan Congress led by Goodluck Imonite, St John the Army Catholic Church led by Rev Alfred Agbolahor, and Parishers of St. Jude’s Catholic Church led by Very Rev Father Paul Edegware, entertained the Esama and his visitors who came from far to be part of his birthday celebration.

As always, the celebrant Chief Sir Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, was accompanied by his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, his son and former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and his siblings, a retinue of members of the Igbinedion Dynasty among other dignitaries arrived the Archangel Gabriel Catholic Church, to a warm reception by the members of the Church community with band parade, in a distinct ceremony tagged “The Early Morning Dew”

The birthday celebration began with Service of Praise and Thanksgiving at St Gabriel, The Archangel Catholic Church, Sapele Road, where adoration was offered unto the Creator as coordinated by the Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie and church officials.

During the conventional Mass, which has become a tradition in the House of Igbinedion, the guest speaker, and President of Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Israel Akanji, preached a sermon encouraging all and sundry to live their lives, and have the mindset of a child.

“The childlike spirit must not die; the spirit must remain, and if there is a challenge for our papa at 90, the challenge is that even in old age, you are to continue with the heart of a child,” Akanji said.

Also praying for the nonagenarian, a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafo, lauded his philanthropic gestures, and declared that heaven will recompense him.

“As you have identified with everyone, heaven will always identify with you. May God increase you on every side,” he said.

Tom Amekhianam of the Christ Embassy also offered prayers for the latest member of the nonagenarian club, asking for more of God’s wisdom and honour upon him and his family.

Speaking on behalf of the family in response to all the prayers and goodwill showered on Chief Igbinedion, the son of the celebrant, Mike Igbinedion thank guests and well wishers as well as appreciate the celebrant for being a father in deed.

Dignitaries that attended the Mass were the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, prominent religious and traditional leaders, high profile politicians and High Commissioners and Representatives of High Commissions so from over 15 countries.

It was a total conglomeration of the best of Nigerians in respect of a man who has given more than enough to the economic, industrial, political, academic and social development of Nigeria.

Also in attendance were the traditional rulers and title holders from the Benin Kingdom.

The highpoint of the event was the thanksgiving procession by Chief Igbinedion and his immediate family members, amid soulful renditions from the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish choir.

Speaking on behalf of some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion the representative of the South African High Commission in Nigeria and the Representative of the King of Ashanti, Ghana among others, described the celebrant as a Man who has added value to the lives of many.

Guests at the birthday thanksgiving Mass were later hosted to a lavish reception at tastefully decorated country home of the Esama of Benin Kingdom where music was supplied by a host of upcoming artists, live band, cultural troupes among others.

The colorful event was rounded off with the cutting of the 90th birthday cake of the Esama of Benin Kingdom His Excellency Chief Sir Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, surrounded by members of his family siblings and selected dignitaries.

The event reception which was held at the residence of this unequivocally brilliant mind witnessed a potpourri of the nation’s high and mighty as they trooped out in their numbers to appreciate the goodness of the creator upon his praise-worthy life.

Wishing the Esama a life where he will never mourn the death of any of his children, HRM Oba Oyetunde Olumiluwa Ojo, Ogunbodun I Olono of Ada, Osun State, assured him of longer life and more fruitful living.

Also the Enogie of Ukhiri, HRH (Barr) Godwin Aigbe described the celebrant as a legend at 90, just as a daughter of the House of Igbinedion and former First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Eki Igbinedion showered encomium, describing as a gift to his generation.

In her word, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales, thanked the Esama for being a worthy personality and a human being with a face.

The reception was another form of banquet, coming with all the trappings a superiority. The crowd was unprecedented with security agencies of different creed mounted at various corners. One would not be wrong if they call the event a fantasy brought to reality. Everyone who was someone was either present or represented.

It was reported that over 22 food and beverage vendors were busy with different local, African and intercontinental cuisines and beverages, attending to the large crowd of audience as the grand reception swept way into the night.

Among special personalities that were present at the well attended banquet were past and present governors, politicians and industrialists. Some of them were former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; Constitutional Lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah; former governor of Imo state, Chief Achike Udenwa, former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori; former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna and former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

Others were ING Nana Poku Aygeman, who represented the King of Ashanti, Ghana, High Commissioners of South Africa to Nigeria, Tami Mseluku, Engr Elvis Obaseki of ITV and Radio, E. J. Agbonayinma of APC, former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, and Labour Party governorship for Edo State, Barr Olumide Akpata, who was a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The family also set aside a day for all those born in the House of Igbinedion to meet, fratenise and bond with one another. Members of the family from.across the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and more were present. They sang, made merry and cut a huge birthday cake in honour of the patriarch.

Mabel Amadin, who spoke on behalf of the children of Igbinedion said that ‘my father’s tentacles have gone worldwide’, and it was only natural that all the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren use the opportunity of his 90th birthday to reignite their brotherhood.

The weeklong grand ceremonies rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church, where dignitaries also trooped out in their numbers to thank God for His mercies, and for seeing the family and friends through the activities.

In another development, a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar,Ed many other dignitaries to pay homage to the nonagenarian, describing him as a rare breed that can only be seen once in a century. In his entourage were the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, former Chief of Defence Statf, General Martin Luther Agwai, who prayed that God will continue to keep Chief Igbinedion so that humanity will continue to tap from his wealth and well of knowledge.

The highpoint of the 90th birthday celebration was the special visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates, led by former Vice President and Waziri Adamawa, who was the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to pay homage to the Esama.

In their various speeches, the former Vice President and the host Governor, Obaseki, praised the Esama for his laudable contributions to the Nigerian nation and his philanthropic gestures to all and sundry, wishing him a happy birthday and many happy returns.

They delegates supported the celebrant in cutting his birthday cake in the presence of his wife, Cherry Igbinedion, and conducted by the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

The members present were the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, former governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; former governor of Bayelsa, Senator Seriake Dickson; former governor of Cross River State, Leyel Imoke, Chief Ben Obi, High Chief Tom Ikimi, Edo Deputy Governor, Marvelous Omobayo; former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Osun State governor, Senator Adeleke, who displayed his singing and dancing talents while wishing the Esama a happy birthday.

Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion was born on September 11, 1934, and has been a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence since he embraced career trajectory. He is known to have pioneered many Enterprises including the first to own a private airline; Okada Air and private university; Igbinedion University.

From all us on The Boss Newpaper, we wish the Esama a glorious 90th birthday, and many more healthy years in view.

Headline

Edo Election: Police Acting in Interest of APC, Says Obaseki

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2024

Eric

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called out the Nigerian Police Force, saying they are working in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the buildup to the 2024 Edo Governorship Election. He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not sign the Peace Accord for the September 21 election.

The accord is an official agreement among political parties to be of good conduct before, during and after election.

Obaseki said the agency, the Police, responsible for enforcing the accord, have through their actions, shown that they are acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and waging war against the PDP.

He expressed worry that “the Police under the manipulation of the APC, has arrested not less than 10 PDP chieftains, who they perceived would be strong political opposition to them in the coming election.”

The governor who spoke when he received the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar said those arrested include a serving Local Government chairman, Hon. Collins Aigbogun.

He stated that the party chieftains were arrested and whisked to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Obaseki queried: “how do one enters a peace accord with an umpire who, from the onset has shown bias in favour of one of the parties in the election.”

He added: “you are very conversant with the politics of Edo State. You were here in 2020 and we had a very heated election. You know this is an off-circle election and there is a lot of attention.

“Unlike 2020, I am very worried with the developments in the State today. The party met yesterday and we might not likely sign this agreement.

“The opposition party in the State, the APC has always argued that they may not be as popular and didn’t win in the last election, but however promised to use Federal might to determine the outcome of the election.”

He added: “We thought it’s just rhetoric. But in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed gang policemen have come into Edo State to invade, arrest and take away PDP members.”