According to report from The Nation, the UK government has published an updated list of unclaimed estates, including those belonging to 58 Nigerians who passed away in the UK. These estates are categorized under “Bona Vacantia,” meaning they remain unclaimed for a specific period and then become the property of the Crown.
On Monday, March 24, the UK government released a list of 5,806 individuals from different nationalities who died without any known heirs to claim their assets. This list contains detailed information such as names, birth and death dates, and places of death.
The 58 Nigerians included in the list are:
1. Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh: Born in Nigeria, passed away on February 5, 1998, in Chiswick, London W4. He was a widower (BV984930/1).
2. Adenike Adebiyi: Nigerian, date of birth unknown, passed away in Hackney, London N1. She was a spinster (BV21003032/1).
3. Akanni Jeremiah Adejumo: Born in Nigeria, died on March 31, 2017, in Muswell Hill, London N10. Marital status unknown (BV21711076/1).
4. Solomon Adekanmibi: Nigerian, died on January 31, 2021, in Colchester, Essex. Marital status unknown (BV22207473/1).
5. Ganiyu Akambi Aderinto: Nationality not specified, passed on July 20, 2016, in Archway, London N19. Marital status unknown (BV21808132/1).
6. Richard Adesanya: Nigerian, died on July 20, 2016, in Hackney, London E9. Marital status unknown (BV21808132/1).
7. Jeff Adhekeh: Nigerian, date of birth unspecified, passed away in South Kensington, London SW7. Marital status unknown (BV22107842/1).
8. Isaac Ademola Adio: Nigerian, died on August 17, 2012, in Harrow, Middlesex. He was a bachelor (BV21304418/1).
9. Julius Ajidahuan: Nigerian, birth details unspecified, passed in Ilford, Essex. He was a bachelor (BV2097929/1).
10. Julius Taiwo Akinyeye: Born in Ondo, Nigeria, died on July 19, 1995, in Derby, Derbyshire. Marital status unknown (BV960071/1).
11. Charles Ayodele Aliu: Nigerian, died on March 31, 2011, in Solihull, West Midlands. He was a bachelor (BV21213206/1).
12. Peter Ifeanyi Arinze: Nigerian, passed on March 23, 2000, in Camberwell, London SE5. He was a bachelor (BV2026061/1).
13. Folayele Festus Awosika: Nigerian, died on March 1, 2001, in Hammersmith, London W6. Marital status unknown (BV2037690/1).
14. Olajide Ayinde: Nigerian, passed on April 25, 1997, in Hackney, London E9. He was a bachelor (BV974293/1).
15. Matthew Balogun: Nigerian, died on December 31, 2005, in Clapham, London SW4. He was a bachelor (BV2084437/1).
16. Henry Banjoko: Nigerian, birth date unknown, passed away in Hampstead, London NW3. He was a bachelor (BV2074183/1).
17. John Olaolu Bankole: Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, passed on April 27, 2010, in London EC1V. He was a husband (BV21105049/1).
18. Tessi Bello: Nigerian, passed away on October 15, 2003, in Camden, London NW3. He was a bachelor (BV2051782/1).
19. Peter Benson: Nigerian, died on February 1, 2019, in Stratford, London E15. Marital status unknown (BV21918199/1).
20. Paul Benard: Born in Lagos, Nigeria, passed away in Camden, London NW1. He was a widower (BV2087609/1).
Other Nigerians on the list include Eugene Bucknor, Samuel Emeka Chude, Nathaniel Davies, Charles Dixon, Enwukwe Graham Kwedi Ede, Sunny Eyo Edem, Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode, Bose Abosede Elizabeth Fige, Samuel William MacAuley Godwin, Salamatu Harford, Louisa Holmes, Tamunokombia Morris Isodiki, Oyinoluwa Tijesulase Jesugoodness, Ibidun Johnson, William Kadry, Victoria Myers, Mark N’Wogo, Zacheus Idowu Ogunsanya, Ifetayo Oguntayo, John Emanuel O’Hosi, Stephen Oliyide, Joyce Omoni, Adeoye Kuyoro Onanuga, Kayode Orishagbemi, Tex Orrico, Florence Baby Osikpa, Kate Blessing Osolase, Francis Ossai, Sunday Owolabi, Gabriel Nduaguba Ozokoli, Cecilia Ricketts, Henry George Babatunde Taylor, John Uzoma, Akinlolu Olaniran Williams, Akinola Williams, Nathaniel Babatunde Williams, Samuel Ademola Williams, and Salihu Ajadi Yusuff.
These individuals, many of whom were bachelors, widowers, or spinsters, left behind unclaimed assets in the UK. The estates remain unclaimed due to a lack of known relatives or legal heirs. The UK government is responsible for managing these estates until rightful heirs come forward. If no claims are made within a set period, the assets are permanently absorbed into the Crown’s treasury.
People who believe they may have a legal right to any of these estates can reach out to the UK government’s Bona Vacantia division to submit a claim with necessary documentation.