Hajia Asma’u Malami, widow of the late Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Malami, has taken her stepson and stepdaughter to court over the will of her husband.
Joining her as plaintiffs are Mustapha, Sadiq, Amina, Zainab, and A’isha, the children of the late Malami and Asma’u.
The defendants include the deceased’s children, Aminu and Hafsat. During the latest hearing, Judge Alkali Nasiru Jibdawa accepted as evidence two wills left by the late Malami, presented by witness Alhaji Abdulkadir Bello.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Nasiru Shehu-Na’ige, requested the court to require the witness to disclose the location of certain properties in Maitama, Abuja, additional plots in Abuja, and a farm with a house in Mambila, Taraba State.
The witness Bello, who told the court that he is one of the property administrators appointed by a Court in Abuja, said the plots belonging to the deceased Malami located in Asokoro and Guzafe in Abuja were sold by the deceased while a farm and house in Mambila were also sold after his death.
The witness who is also a relative to the deceased told the court that the house in Maitama Abuja and Alkammawa in Sokoto metropolis were covered by the Will left behind by the deceased.
Bello further provided the breakdown of late Malami’s properties located in Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto states along with shares domiciled in different companies with the present market values and bank accounts.
He added that process was on progress to recover and take ownership of a house located in Cairo, Egypt which also belong to the late Ambassador.
Respondents’ Counsel, Mr Almustapha Abubakar, reserved questions till the Plaintiff Counsel completed his submissions.
Abubakar argued that two Wills left behind by the late Malami were properly headed, contains desirable explainations and duly signed as well as attested by lawful authority.
He noted that the court-appointed property administrators included the deceased’s wife and biological children, who were also parties in the lawsuit.
After hearing from the various parties, Judge Alkali Jibdawa adjourned the case to April 26, 2024, for a continued hearing and ordered that a court summons be served to the Mambila properties manager, Mr. Goodluck Amuba, who oversaw the cells, to ensure his appearance.
The late Malami was a Knight of the British Empire, a distinguished and prominent industrialist who served Nigeria in various capacities, including as an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and as the former traditional ruler, Sarkin Sudan, district head of Wurno in Sokoto state.
