Trouble in Paradise…Intrigues as Michael Ibru’s Family Battle over His Estate

High Life...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

with LANRE ALFRED

“Money, of course, is never just money. It’s always something else, and it’s always something more, and it always has the last word,” said Paul Auster, U.S. writer. Aster’s words bring to mind the wisdom of late German economist and philosopher, Karl Marx. Speaking of money, Marx said: “It is the common whore, the common procurer of people and nations.” These profound summations no doubt speaks to vanity and greed of late Oloroogun Micheal Ibru’s family. The late business magnate must be turning in his grave as his children engage each other in a bitter squabble over his estate. 16 of his children are in a legal tussle over their paternity and his multi-billion naira assets.
One of his sons, Oboden Ibru, has approached the Igbosere High Court, Lagos, for a declaration, among others, that he and his 15 other siblings are entitled to the estate of their father.

In a counter-claim, one of the late Chief Ibru’s daughters, Janet Ibru, urged the court to declare that only persons whose paternity are confirmed by a diagnostics centre in the United States are entitled to an equal share of the estate.
Oboden’s suit was filed February 8 by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) but has not been assigned to a Judge.

The defendants are Oskar Ibru, Peter Ibru, Emmanuel Ibru, Gloria Ibru, Elaine Ibru-Mukoro, Elvina Ibru, Mamemo Ibru, Janet Ibru, Obaro Ibru, Vivi Ibru-Stankov, Edesiri Ibru, Christiana Ibru, Jero Ibru, Vikwesiri Ibru, Gabriel Ibru and the Probate Registrar, High Court of Lagos State.
The claimant is seeking an order declaring that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of January 2, 2001 is valid as to the distribution by way of gift of the late Ibru’s assets to both “Ovuone” and “Ivetu”.

He asked the court to declare that the properties listed in the MOU belong in their entirety to “Ovuone” being gifted jointly and several times to “Ovuone” in the lifetime of the late Chief Ibru.
Such properties include No. 1, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos; 47, Marine Road, Apapa; 49, Marine Road, Apapa; 52, Marine Road, Apapa; 5,7,9 Emotan Road, Apapa; 3,5,7 Ladipo Oluwole, Apapa; Daska House; Blomfield Court; 33, Michael Ibru Boulevard; 6, Louis Solomon Close, Victoria Island, Lagos and 5/7, Queens Barracks Road, Lagos.
Others are No. 20, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos; 6, Kensington Park Gardens, London; Starcross Farm; Hillcrest Apartment; Zabadne Plot, Abuja; Maitama Plots, Abuja; Maroko Plots, Lagos; 7, Randle Close, Apapa, Lagos; all shares in Oceanic Bank; Oteri Holdings Limited’s shares in Minet Nigeria Limited; Oteri’s shares in Ibachem and the portion of Ibafon land occupied by Ibachem and Ovwian land.

OBEY AT 75…THE DAZZLING ARTISTRY OF A MUSIC LEGEND
•THIS IS HOW THE ‘JUJU COMMANDER’ WILL CELEBRATE HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey is a living legend. His artistry has not lost all its original brightness, nor does it appear less than the genius of his major rival and friend in youth, King Sunny Ade, KSA. Obey, like KSA, radiates inexplicable talent even in his twilight. This is why the glory of his genius and musical talent may never obscure. It’s brilliance illumines the world of Nigerian music as the north star lightens the path of sea weary mariners.

There is no gainsaying Commander Obey, like KSA, is perhaps one of the most revered musical icons in the country. Decades after their release, his evergreen songs continue to thrill the hearts and feet of mesmerized listeners held spellbound by the veteran music maestro’s captivating performances. And having lived well beyond the threescore and ten years cutoff mark for a long life, Chief Ebenezer Obey feels it is time to secure his legacy by giving back to the community. Hence his 75th birthday celebrations this year will be a special affair.

Although he was born on April 3, Chief Ebenezer’s birthday festivities will begin on March 23, 2017 to coincide with the birthday of his late beloved wife Evangelist Juliana Olaide Obey-Fabiyi. On that day a new police post built in his home town of Idogo will be commissioned. Idogo is in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. Apart from the police post, other activities include the launch of the Ebenezer Obey Music Foundation which has the aim of helping talented local artistes to find their feet in the music industry. A thanksgiving service will take place on April 3rd in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

LOST IN TRANSITION…THE TITANS WHO BURNT OUT
•TRANSIENT FORTUNES OF LAGOS’ BIG BOYS
They are yesterday’s titans, men who piloted the trend when it was hip to be titan. But like all things mortal, their fortunes and name impaired to the ravage of unforgiving time. All that is left of them is the common dross that is always left of yesterday. Notwithstanding their apparent retreat into oblivion, they will be remembered as the pack that stood out of the island in-crowd. They rocked Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki in their boom time. Some of them ran night clubs, some ran fashion outfits and some were widely acknowledged as businessmen.

Yet there were a few that didn’t have visible source of income, yet they were considered rich and jolly good men. They were close to the best babes and they rode the best cars that time. We are talking about Murphy Okojie, the owner Murphis Plaza, Biola Adegoke of Grotto, Solomon Arueya of Westside CDs opposite Oceanview restaurant back then, Kennedy Alogaga of Luomo, Nasir Ado_ibrahim of ClubTowers, and many more. Some of the guys have gone ultra low profile way before the onset of the recession. Call it the wisdom of the streets.

FROM NIGERIA TO GHANA…GLOBACOM SIGNS MORE CELEBRITIES AS BRAND ICONS
•HOW TELECOMS GIANT IMPROVE THE LOT OF AFRICAN YOUTH
Like a necessary angel of earth, Globacom, the telecoms giant, lives for the glory of the industrious. The continental mobile phone network provider, like the proverbial archangel and guardian of mortal dreams, adds value to artistry and protects the interests of the productive. Ask Olamide, rap crooner, Juliet Ibrahim, Ghanaian screen goddess, and various other artistes who were recently appointed as ambassadors of Globacom.

There is no gainsaying Globacom helps African youths by making them its ambassadors and giving them mouth watering contracts/endorsement deals, gifts and street credibility to go with it. Glo has indeed touched so many lives more than any indigenous company in Nigeria nay Africa. From sports to music and movies. Recently, Glo signed on Olamide and Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa and philosophical Dance Hall artiste, Inetimi Alfred Odon popularly known as Timaya, and Ghanaian actress, Joselyn Dumas.

Announcing the new ambassadors in Lagos, Globacom, in a statement on Thursday said Olamide was made a Glo ambassador because of his success in the music industry and for being an inspiration to millions of Nigerian youths. The four ambassadors have been inducted into the exclusive Hall of Fame for Globacom’s brand icons. Prominent among those in the elite group are stand-up comedians Basketmouth and Bovi Ugboma; the trio of Marvin Records singers: Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Hadizah Blell (Di’ja), and the diva of Nollywood, Patience Ozokwor popularly called Mama G. Others are Omawumi, Ego, Yvonne Nelson and MI.