The Probate Court, Calabar Judicial Division, has ordered the joint administration of the estate of the late former Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Chief Wilfred Oden Inah, following a dispute over the alleged unauthorised sale of family property.

In a ruling in Suit No. LA/600/2021 delivered on July 24, 2026, the court nullified an attempt by the deceased’s first son, Mr Maurice Oden Inah, to sell part of the estate without the consent of other family members.

The order followed a mutual agreement reached on July 29 and a Notice of Caveat filed by Bima Oden Inah, a daughter of the deceased, seeking to prevent the issuance of Letters of Administration without notice to her and her siblings.

The court directed that the application be amended to include four children representing “all the wombs” of the deceased: Mrs Kosi Oden Inah, Mr Maurice Oden Inah, Mr Ofem Oden Inah and Mrs Mildred Manama Ikheloa.

They were also directed to submit the required biodata to the Probate Registry.

The dispute centres on a property at No. 63, Ibom Layout, Big Qua Town, Calabar, comprising four flats on a large expanse of land.

Family members alleged that Maurice sold the property to Mr Emmanuel Emele Utum for more than N100 million without informing his siblings.

They claimed the property was valued at between N300 million and N400 million and that their late father had directed that each child should take a flat, while Maurice would take the surrounding land.

Ofem Inah said the alleged sale violated their father’s wish that the property should remain in the family, while Mildred Ikheloa said the family wanted the property returned and the buyer’s money refunded.

The matter was reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Sources said Maurice was detained but later failed to honour further invitations, citing illness.

Maurice, who spoke with The Guardian by telephone, did not deny the sale but described the matter as a family issue. He said he would convene a meeting at the appropriate time to brief the family.

The deceased’s wife, Chief Mrs Kosi Inah, denied knowledge of the sale or receiving any proceeds, saying she had just returned from major surgery abroad.

Utum, the alleged buyer, said the property was advertised for sale by the family’s lawyer, Wilfred Usani, and that he conducted due diligence before proceeding with the transaction.

He said he was prepared to walk away from the deal if his money was refunded.

Sources close to Utum said a High Court in Calabar had restrained him from renovating, remodelling or constructing on the property pending determination of the family’s suit.

Legal practitioners said the probate order would promote inclusiveness by ensuring representation of the deceased’s different maternal lines in the administration of the estate.