The administration of estates under a valid Will requires strict adherence to the applicable laws governing the distribution of assets. In Rosaline Abijo & 3 Ors v Peter Onobote & 2 Ors, the court addressed a significant lapse in duty by the executors of an estate.
Despite the Testator’s explicit instructions in His Will that certain beneficiaries were to hold a property as tenants-in-common, the executors failed to execute a vesting deed in favor of the beneficiaries years after probate had been granted.
The court held that this failure violated the provisions of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, which mandates the proper and timely transfer of assets to beneficiaries.
Consequently, the Court directed the executors to immediately vest the property in the beneficiaries as intended by the Testator.
To explore the court’s decision and its implications for estate administration, click the link below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10IzQvEL8kD9Dl2tOchnBd3o_PWMkq7oC/view?usp=sharing