Efunroye Tinubu Estate: Trustees Raise Alarm Over Alleged Impostor
Tajudeen Olalekan Ademoye Tinubu, who was arraigned in 2016 over allegations of falsely presenting himself as a trustee of the estate of the late Iyalode of Lagos, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, has again come under scrutiny as the recognised trustees of the historic estate continue to deny that he is one of them or acts on their behalf.
Records from the earlier criminal case show that Tajudeen was accused of falsely holding himself out as a trustee of the estate of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, allegedly with intent to defraud. He denied the charges when he was arraigned alongside other defendants before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos in March 2016.
The position of the recognised trustees is particularly important because documents relating to the estate show that they had appointed Chief Akinfolabi Akindele as their Power of Attorney to act on behalf of the estate.
The Power of Attorney, dated May 6, 2004, was executed by Alhaji Shittu Adio Kassim Lumosa, Chief Adams Bilade Lahan and Mr. Shafiu Kassim Lumosa, who were described in the document as the accredited representatives of the estate of Madam Iyalode Tinubu, deceased.
The document appointed Akinfolabi Akindele as their true and lawful attorney to act in respect of the family land and matters relating to the estate of the late Madam Iyalode Tinubu. The document bears the file number LSD/GC/105078 and was prepared by A.O. Fatoki of Jiti Ogune Chambers, 1a, Akin Ogunyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The Power of Attorney gave Akindele authority to act in matters concerning the estate and its properties, including dealings relating to the family land, documentation, enforcement, collection of monies and rent, tenancy and purchases, as well as other actions carried out in line with the instructions of the trustees.
The existence of the Power of Attorney further establishes who the trustees recognised and appointed to act on behalf of the estate, as distinct from persons who may independently claim to be trustees, representatives or authorised agents without the backing of the recognised board.
The recognised trustees of the estate are Alhaji Shittu Adio Kassim Lumosa, Mr. Shafiu Kassim Lumosa and Mr. Gabriel Fastele, who were listed in subsequent estate-related court proceedings as trustees of the estate of Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, deceased.
Their position has remained central to the long-running controversy surrounding the administration, trusteeship and authority over the historic estate of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, whose name and properties have for years been the subject of legal disputes and competing claims.
The criminal allegations against Tajudeen were part of a police case that came before Magistrate B. A. Sonuga in 2016. He was arraigned alongside Mrs Omotayo Oyindamola and Reverend Emmanuel Olatoye Shodipe, who has since died.
The police accused the defendants of conspiracy, forgery, malicious prosecution and giving information that allegedly resulted in the prosecution of two persons said to be innocent. The defendants denied the allegations.
Tajudeen was specifically accused of falsely presenting himself as a trustee of the estate of Madam Iyalode Tinubu. The allegations were said to be connected to a wider dispute involving documents and claims of authority over the estate.
At the centre of the controversy was a disputed Power of Attorney allegedly forged in August 2014 in Mushin, Lagos. The police alleged that the document was created with the intention that it could be used or relied upon as genuine to the prejudice of another person.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendants conspired to cause the prosecution of Mr Akindele Afolabi and Alhaji Adio Kazeem despite allegedly knowing that the two men were innocent of the accusations made against them.
The allegations against Tajudeen and the others were said to have contravened provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. Tajudeen and Oyindamola were granted bail in the sum of N200,000 each with one surety in like sum, while the late Reverend Shodipe was released on self-recognition because of his age.
Although the case was adjourned at the time, the controversy surrounding individuals claiming authority over the estate has continued to generate concern.
Years later, another development occurred when the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, delivered judgment in Suit No. ID/2336PFM/19 on June 17, 2020. The applicants in the matter were Alhaji Shittu Adio Rassim Lumosa, Mr Shafiu Kassim Lumosa and Mr Gabriel Fastele, who were described as trustees of the estate of Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu.
The respondents were the Probate Registrar, High Court of Justice, Ikeja, and Mr Temilola Daud Adesanya, who was joined as a party in the proceedings. Justice I. O. Kasali granted the application and made orders relating to his joinder and the administration of the estate.
However, the 2020 estate proceedings involving Adesanya are separate from the criminal allegations brought against Tajudeen in 2016 and should not be confused with them.
What remains central to the controversy is the position of the recognised trustees, who have continued to maintain that Tajudeen Olalekan Ademoye Tinubu is not one of them and does not act as their representative in matters concerning the estate of Madam Efunroye Tinubu.
The 2004 Power of Attorney also shows the person whom the trustees had expressly authorised to act on behalf of the estate. According to the document, Chief Akinfolabi Akindele was appointed as the recognised Power of Attorney of the estate by the trustees who executed the document on May 6, 2004.
The warning, therefore, goes beyond one individual. The long history of disputes surrounding the estate should serve as notice to any person who may seek to falsely present themselves as trustees, representatives, attorneys or authorised agents of the estate.
Members of the public are urged to exercise caution and properly verify the legal authority of anyone claiming the power to act, sell, negotiate, manage property or represent the estate of the late Iyalode of Lagos, Madam Efunroye Tinubu.
The existence of a claim, document or personal representation should not automatically be accepted as proof of lawful authority. Interested persons are expected to verify such claims through the recognised trustees and valid legal documents, including the authority under which any person claims to act, before entering into transactions connected with the historic estate.
As the earlier criminal case, the subsequent court proceedings and the Power of Attorney executed on May 6, 2004 show, the question of who has lawful authority to act on behalf of the estate carries serious legal consequences and should serve as a warning to alleged impostors and members of the public alike.