Controversial Clause in Chief Iwuanyanwu’s Will Revealed: Widow Could Lose Properties if She Marries Again

 

Chief Iwuanyanwu’s Will Unveiled: Inheritance Terms Draw Mixed Reactions from Family and Public

Nearly a year after his death, the final wishes of the late elder statesman and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief (Engr. Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have emerged—setting off a wave of public discussion and familial tension.

The revered businessman and political figure, who passed away on July 25, 2024, at the age of 82, reportedly left behind a detailed will that has now become the subject of scrutiny, especially due to certain inheritance conditions involving his widow, Frances Chinonyerem Enwerem.

Frances, who married the late Chief in 2013 when she was just 26 and he was 72, remains a central figure in the unfolding drama. Their union, despite a wide age gap, produced one son. Her position in the family and her stake in Iwuanyanwu’s vast estate are now at the heart of conversations following the will's reading on June 16, 2025.

Presided over by Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, the will outlines a comprehensive distribution of assets, spanning several states in Nigeria and including an international property in the United Kingdom. Among the most prominent of these bequests is the allocation of the iconic “Legacy House” on Port Harcourt Road in Owerri to Frances. However, the clause attached to this gift has triggered widespread reactions—Frances is expressly barred from selling the property under any circumstance.

She also receives ownership of Magil Furniture, a legacy business originally managed by Iwuanyanwu’s first wife, the late Lady Eudora Nnenna Ozinyereaku Iwuanyanwu, who died in 2011 after more than four decades of marriage. Additional assets under Frances’s name include partial stakes in lucrative real estate properties located in Orji, Works Layout, and Naze—all in Imo State.

What has truly sparked public attention is the condition that should Frances choose to remarry at any point in the future, she will automatically forfeit all the properties and business holdings bequeathed to her. Legal experts and cultural commentators have begun weighing in on the controversial stipulation, debating its enforceability and implications for women’s rights, especially within the context of Igbo customary and statutory laws.

Frances has so far remained silent on the matter, but sources close to the family suggest the clause came as a surprise to some members of the household, raising questions about the patriarch’s motivations.

Outside Frances’s share, the will makes significant provisions for other family members. The couple’s only son has been awarded full ownership of the family’s residence in Abuja, marking a notable gesture toward securing the boy’s future.

Meanwhile, the family’s London property is set to be sold, with the proceeds distributed in a manner that underscores Iwuanyanwu’s continued emphasis on education and family structure. Sixty percent of the funds will support the academic pursuits of his youngest son, while 30 percent will go to his first son, Jide. The remaining 10 percent has been designated for Ezinne, the current occupant of the house, to assist with her relocation.

As a gesture of community service and legacy building, the late statesman directed that the “Glass House” located near the Orji flyover be transformed into a public trust. Managed by an independent board, the facility is to serve charitable and civic-focused purposes, underlining his lifelong commitment to community development and philanthropy.

The rest of the estate—including valuable properties across Abuja, Imo, and other Nigerian cities—has been equitably distributed among his five children.

The reading of the will has elicited a blend of admiration and consternation. While many have praised Iwuanyanwu’s meticulous planning and vision for generational wealth distribution, others believe the conditional inheritance clause placed on Frances reflects deeper cultural tensions and an attempt to exercise control beyond the grave.

Legal professionals anticipate that the matter could lead to future court proceedings, especially if Frances chooses to challenge the will’s stipulations or remarries.

As the Iwuanyanwu family navigates the aftermath of this revelation, Nigerians across the country continue to reflect on the intersection of love, legacy, and law—just as the legacy of one of the South-East’s most prominent figures begins its next chapter.