Veteran singer Uche Ibeto, popularly known as Jigida Queen, is in a property dispute with her siblings over their late mother’s house in Surulere, Lagos.
The 70-year-old, famous for her 1988 hit ‘Egwi Jigida,’ lived in the house at No. 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street with her mother for over 50 years until the matriarch’s death in 2013.
Her elder sister Laura Okoh and another sibling, Ifeoma Ilodibe, are listed as estate administrators.
Through her lawyer Onwubualili Sylvester, Ibeto petitioned the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the assistant inspector general of police, Zone 2, alleging that Mrs Okoh, in collaboration with a judicial officer and a buyer, Cecil Osakwe, conspired to evict her.
“It is with great shock and dismay that we tell this sad story on the display of what appears to be, gross negligence by a judicial officer, bias and aiding the improper use of the Court system to promote criminal activities of a notorious land grabbing syndicate to the detriment of innocent Nigerians,” she said.
Ibeto alleged that a judgment delivered on 10 July transferred ownership of the house to Osakwe, using “fraudulent means, impersonation and false depositions.” She also claimed her properties worth over N500 million were destroyed during the eviction on 15 August.
But the family denied the claims, saying: “Ms. Uche Ibeto is the third child of the Late Mrs Esther Ibeto. She is not the Administrator of the Estate and is not the sole owner of the property. The property was duely and lawfully sold.”
According to report, Kenneth Joshua, lawyer to the estate, said the matter was resolved at the AIG Zone 2 Office. He said Ibeto stayed in the house at the mercy of the administrators and had “no say” in how it was handled.
