A Lagos State High Court has been asked to exclude Helen Prest-Ajayi, a former Miss Nigeria and widow of Dr. Tosin Ajayi, founder of the First Foundation Medical Engineering Co. Ltd from benefiting from the estate of the deceased.
Ajayi’s estranged wife, Oluyemisi Ajayi, and her five children made the prayer in a suit commenced on September 17, 2021, via an Originating Summons filed by their counsel, Falana & Falana Chambers.
They are seeking an order that Oluyemisi and the deceased’s children, including Helen’s daughter, Tomisin, are the only ones entitled to share in the deceased’s estate.
They prayed the court to, among others, hold that Oluyemisi is entitled to one-third and the children to two-thirds of the estate. In essence, Oluyemisi and her children are asking the court to rule that Helen (sued as “Ms. Helen Davies”) has no interest whatsoever in Ajayi’s estate.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to declare that the only persons entitled to apply for and obtain letters of administration in respect of the estate are the deceased’s estranged wife and his children, including Tomisin, Helen’s child.
They are also asking the Court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Helen and anyone acting on her behalf from interfering with the estate.
According to the Originating Summons, the Claimants’ claims are based on Section 46 of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The suit is yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing.
This suit is the latest development in the battle over the estate of the late Ajayi
The deceased was a renowned medical doctor, businessman, and philanthropist before his demise on April 26, 2020.
Another suit on the matter is pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to the suit, filed by Helen, her late husband was married to Oluwayemisi and they had children. She averred that the couple was separated for 35 years before Ajayi’s demise.
Helen averred in that suit that in the course of the separation, he married her, and they had a child together, Tomisin.
– Media Report