Families have raised concerns over the slow process of granting probate or Letters of Administration required to legally manage and distribute the estates of deceased relatives.
They complained that the opaque and lengthy probate procedure in Nigeria was causing prolonged delays in accessing assets.
An Abuja resident, Mrs Hauwa Ali, said she felt helpless after applying for a letter of administration in 2023 without any progress.
“We are in 2025 now and I am still waiting for approval. I am frustrated because the matter is not progressing and recovery of my husband’s assets is stalled. The probate process is tedious and lengthy, taking months or even years to complete,” she said.
Another resident, Ms Calista Onu, narrated her struggle to access her late mother’s bank account.
“I applied for probate in August 2024 after my mother passed. I had to prove my identity as next-of-kin even though my mother named me as such. As we speak, I have not heard any word from the probate department. The process is becoming a burden on me,” she said.
Mr Tony Ishaya, awaiting administration rights for his late brother’s estate, said he began the process in 2023.
“My application was stalled because my brothers challenged my position as next-of-kin. I had to start over to prove I was named in his will. I engaged a lawyer, and we are now close to ending the process,” he explained.
Responding to the complaints, the Director of Probate at the FCT judiciary, Mr Samuel Idhiarhi, said the process required extensive paperwork and compliance with state-specific laws, which often led to delays.
He explained that letters of administration were not issued casually, as delays could arise from “external factors.”
“Usual assets include bank deposits, buildings, cash, land, jewellery. Internal requirements include payment of two per cent of the asset value to the court, and two sureties. Once payment is made, the court publishes a notice for 21 days. The process can be completed within six months, but if stalled, the applicant must start afresh,” he said.
He added that required documents included a letter of introduction from the applicant and the deceased’s death certificate.
According to him, the FCT receives a high volume of applications, with notices published every Monday. In some jurisdictions, publications are delayed until enough applications are gathered.
Idhiarhi noted that delays could also occur when banks were asked to confirm account details or when agencies such as the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) had to verify property records.
“When all requirements are met, there is no delay within the court. Files move from the director of probate to the Chief Registrar, then to the Chief Judge for approval. The real delays are outside our control, often caused by family disputes over next-of-kin,” he explained.
(NAN)