The recently unveiled Will of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has sparked public debate after it was revealed that his wife, Lolo Frances, stands to forfeit all properties bequeathed to her if she chooses to remarry. The Will, made public by administrator Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), details a careful distribution of the elder statesman’s assets among his wife, children, and selected beneficiaries.
Lolo Frances was granted ownership of the iconic “Legacy House” on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, with a strict instruction that the property must never be sold. She also inherited Magil Furniture and shares in real estate located in Orji, Works Layout, and Naze, all within Owerri—assets she will lose should she remarry. Their son received the family’s Abuja residence, while the London property is to be sold, with proceeds allocated for the education of Iwuanyanwu’s last son, his first son Jide, and Ezinne, who currently resides in the property.
The Will also directs that the “Glass House” near the Orji flyover be placed in a public trust for charitable purposes, managed by a board of directors. The remainder of the late statesman’s properties were equitably distributed among his five children, who have described the Will as fair and honorable.
Public attention remains focused on the remarriage clause, which has stirred controversy and debate about inheritance rights and marital status. As of the time of this report, efforts to reach Frances and the children for comment have been unsuccessful. The Will’s philanthropic provisions and the strict conditions attached to some inheritances highlight both Chief Iwuanyanwu’s commitment to family and community, and the complexities of his legacy.
