– Between the Burden of Legacy and Wave of Suspicion, Access Holdings Boss Deserves His Flowers
– We’ve suffered betrayal, disrespect – Herbert Wigwe’s sister speaks on family’s ordeal
After the sun sets and the world is hushed, when the clamour of boardrooms fades and the fever of commerce cools, does Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede truly find rest? Does sleep come easy to a man caught in the crossfire of a legacy not wholly his, yet one he is compelled to steward? Or does he toss and turn under ceaseless scrutiny, as the shadows of doubt and accusation assail him through the night?
Indeed, there comes a point in a man’s life when the past refuses to stay buried, when ghosts of friendships lost and ambitions shared haunt his every step. For Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, that moment arrived the day Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter fell from the sky. The tragedy did not just claim a life—it unleashed a storm of scrutiny and silent battles fought in boardrooms and public perception. …CONTINUE READING
Does Aig-Imoukhuede, the man once connected to Wigwe by vision and enterprise, find solace in the empire they built together? Or does he lie awake at night, knowing that every tribute he pays, every decision he makes, is measured against an unforgiving scale of loyalty and legacy? The burden of remembrance is heavy, but the weight of betrayal—real or perceived—is heavier still.
A Crown of Thorns
The death of Herbert Wigwe did not merely create a void in the financial empire he built; it ignited a storm of suspicion and bitterness that now encircles Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Once partners in ambition, brothers in vision, Aig-Imoukhuede and Wigwe shared more than a bank—they shared lofty dreams about Access Holdings, aspirations sealed with sweat and strategy. Yet, in the wake of tragedy, that shared dream has turned into a battlefield where loyalty is questioned, motives are dissected, and friendships are put to the ultimate test.
In stepping up to lead Access Holdings after Wigwe’s demise, Aig-Imoukhuede assumed not just an office but an inheritance brimming with both expectation and skepticism. The burden of continuity—of ensuring that Wigwe’s life’s work did not unravel—fell squarely on his shoulders. But what should have been a solemn duty has instead become an unrelenting trial, a gauntlet of public censure and whispered innuendo.
There are reports indicating that Aigboje has decided to discontinue the financial support that Herbert’s parents relied on during his lifetime. It’s said that this decision was made based on the assertion of limited funds. This situation is understandably difficult for Herbert’s family, and it’s a challenging time for everyone involved.
Joyce Wigwe, elder sister to the late Herbert, has been vocal about the rift that has emerged since his passing. “I don’t know where to start… from when Herbert passed on or not… we didn’t realise there was a disagreement,” she lamented in a recent interview. Her revelations suggest that the trust her family once had in Aig-Imoukhuede has been fractured beyond repair.
Battle for Remembrance: Love or Manipulation?
What should have been a quiet, solemn tribute to a fallen giant turned into an ugly spectacle of division. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and long-time business partner of the late Herbert Wigwe, delivered an emotional tribute during the one-year memorial service held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. This event commemorated Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and their son Chizi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024.
During the service, Aig-Imoukhuede shared heartfelt memories of his partnership and friendship with Wigwe, emphasizing the deep trust they had in each other. He also reassured Wigwe’s children of his unwavering support, stating, “Tochi; Hannah; David; Okachi, you are mine; just as my children were your dad’s children when he was here with us.”
However, Joyce paints a different picture, alleging that this show of support was anything but genuine. “It was obvious from the funeral that Aig and his wife kept flanking the kids and would not let us get close to them,” she recalled. She further revealed that attempts by the family to adjust seating arrangements during the service were overridden by Access Bank staff acting on instructions from their superiors. “They would come to the house and take Daddy into the room… and my dad was like, that’s fine, he can handle it,” Joyce recounted, suggesting a pattern of exclusion and secrecy.
The Guardianship Question: Corporate Gangsterism or Noble Stewardship?
The accusations did not stop at the remembrance. Whispers grew into bold proclamations—that Aig-Imoukhuede, through corporate maneuvering and sheer influence, had positioned himself as an unofficial guardian over Wigwe’s children.
Joyce questioned why her father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, was being reassured by Aig-Imoukhuede and his associates that the children were now “theirs.” “My parents always welcomed Herbert’s friends into the family,” she said. “My parents were particularly close to Aig’s family as well, particularly his late mum, may her soul rest in peace.”
However, when it came to matters of Herbert’s estate, the family found themselves shut out. According to Joyce, Aig-Imoukhuede and his lawyer, identified as Paul Usoro, held private meetings with her father, pressuring him to sign documents without providing copies for the family. “He refused… each time we asked, he said, ‘Oh, I’m bringing it, oh, I’m travelling,’” she stated in frustration.
The Wigwe University Saga: A Legacy at War
If the remembrance dispute was the first shot fired, the battle for Wigwe University became a full-fledged war. The university, Wigwe’s most personal legacy, was supposed to be his lasting gift to the future, an edifice built on the foundation of his unwavering faith in education. But even this noble vision has become entangled in discord.
Joyce highlighted that her niece, Tochi, had expressed a desire to work with her grandfather on estate matters. “She said she wants to work with her grandfather on this thing,” Joyce recounted. But the secrecy surrounding the documents cast a shadow over any attempt at collaboration. “That was the last conversation I had with her,” she said, hinting at the deepening rift that followed.
Meanwhile, Tochi Wigwe has been actively preserving her father’s legacy. She launched initiatives aimed at sustaining his philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavours. During the memorial events, she delivered poignant tributes, reflecting on her father’s impact and expressing gratitude for the support received from well-wishers.
For every decision Aig-Imoukhuede makes, there is backlash. For every step he takes, there is suspicion. The guardianship of a dream, it seems, is a position that demands more than just stewardship—it demands an unassailable purity of intention, a near-impossible feat in a world driven by perception.
A Man Under Siege
No one cuts Aig-Imoukhuede the slack he so desperately needs. He is not allowed the luxury of being overwhelmed, of mourning his friend in peace. Instead, he is burdened with expectations and subjected to relentless scrutiny. The walls of Access Holdings do not merely echo with the sounds of commerce; they tremble under the weight of endless accusations.
Every decision he makes is viewed through the lens of suspicion. Every action is parsed for signs of self-interest. If he forges ahead, he is ruthless; if he hesitates, he is weak. There is no winning, no space for grace. And for a man whose sacrifices cost him dearly, there is little appreciation, only unrelenting criticism.
Does He Sleep at Night?
And so, the question remains: How does Aig-Imoukhuede sleep at night?
Perhaps he sleeps fitfully, haunted by the ghosts of friendship, by the echoes of laughter that once filled the halls of ambition. Perhaps he lies awake, turning over the endless criticisms, the damning accusations, the impossible weight of leadership. Or perhaps he has learned the art of sleeping with one eye open, knowing that no matter what he does, his intentions would always be questioned.
Yet, for all the noise about scrutiny and suspicion, one truth remains unshaken: Aig-Imoukhuede stands resolute in defense of his honour and his late friend’s estate. And in the end, that is the greatest testament to his cause.
