Late Billionaire Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Will: 38-Year-Old Wife Risks Losing Properties If She Remarries

Frances risks forfeiting multi-million naira properties if she remarries

The late elder statesman and billionaire businessman, Chief (Engr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has posthumously stirred public discourse following revelations that his final Will bans his wife, Lolo Frances, from remarrying.

TJ News Nigeria reports that the document, formally released on June 16, 2025, and executed by the Will administrator, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), details how the influential industrialist’s wealth and estate are to be distributed among his immediate family and selected beneficiaries.

 

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Inheritance with Conditions

One of the most striking clauses in the Will is the explicit condition placed on Frances’ inheritance. While she was bequeathed the iconic Legacy House on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri—an architectural landmark in Imo State—the late billionaire stipulated that the property must never be sold.

In addition, Frances inherited:

• Ownership of Magil Furniture, a thriving furniture business originally established by Iwuanyanwu’s late first wife, Lady Eudora

• Partial ownership of premium real estate holdings in Orji, Works Layout, and Naze, all in Imo State

However, the Will clearly states that any attempt by Frances to remarry would lead to the automatic forfeiture of these properties.

Provisions for Children and Other Assets

The document also outlines provisions for Iwuanyanwu’s children. His son has been assigned ownership of the family’s Abuja residence, while the family’s London property is directed to be sold.

Proceeds from the sale of the London property are to be distributed as follows:

• 60% for the continued education of Iwuanyanwu’s youngest son

• 30% to his first son, Jide

• 10% to Ezinne, a family member residing in the London property, to assist in securing alternative accommodation

Charitable Legacies

Demonstrating the late billionaire’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy, the Will also provides that the Glass House near the Orji flyover in Owerri be converted into a public trust. This trust is to be managed by an independent board and dedicated solely to charitable and community development causes in Imo State and beyond.

Furthermore, valuable assets located in Abuja, Imo State, and other parts of Nigeria were equitably allocated among his five children, who reportedly expressed satisfaction with their late father’s instructions, describing them as “honorable and just.”

Family Reactions and Public Interest

Since its release, the Will has generated mixed reactions across social and traditional media platforms. While some Nigerians view the clause restricting Frances from remarrying as controversial, others argue that the late Chief merely exercised his legal right to structure his estate as he deemed fit.

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the Will reflects both Iwuanyanwu’s personal values and cultural considerations, particularly within Igbo customary practices, where widows remarrying can be sensitive within certain traditional families.

About Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Chief (Engr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away earlier in 2024, was a renowned businessman, philanthropist, and political leader. He served as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people.

Over the decades, Iwuanyanwu built a formidable business empire, with interests spanning construction, media, real estate, and manufacturing. His influence in both political and business spheres earned him the status of an elder statesman before his passing.

The businessman was also recognized for his contributions to education, having supported numerous academic initiatives and scholarship programs throughout Nigeria.

The Legacy Continues

As the legal processes surrounding the execution of his Will unfold, stakeholders continue to monitor how the clauses, particularly the condition placed on Frances, will play out in practice. Legal experts suggest that unless contested in court, such stipulations in personal Wills generally remain enforceable under Nigerian inheritance laws.

Meanwhile, the late billionaire’s philanthropic gestures, including the establishment of the public trust, are expected to cement his legacy in community development efforts, particularly in southeastern Nigeria.

For now, the spotlight remains on the controversial restriction placed on his widow, which has opened a new chapter of conversation about inheritance rights, widowhood practices, and gender equity in Nigeria.