By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intervened in a dispute among the children of late Cross River elder statesman, secretary to government and former governorship candidate, Chief Wilfred Oden Inah, over the alleged sale of a family property in Calabar.
The anti-graft agency reportedly invited the deceased politician’s eldest son, Maurice Inah, to provide explanations regarding the transaction, which some of his siblings insist was carried out without their knowledge or consent.
Sources familiar with the matter said that Maurice was initially detained by the commission but has allegedly failed to honour subsequent invitations, citing ill health.
According to family sources, the EFCC became involved after some of Chief Inah’s children petitioned authorities over the sale of the property, which they claim was contrary to their late father’s wishes and intended family arrangements.
The disputed property, located at No. 63 Ibom Layout, Calabar, is said to have been sold to one Emmanuel Emele for N100 million.
The property reportedly comprises a block of four flats and a sizeable expanse of land.
One of the deceased politician’s sons, Ofem Inah, alleged that the sale was carried out unilaterally and at a value far below the property’s market worth.
He maintained that their late father had expressly directed that the property should remain within the family and not be sold.
“Our father’s position on the property was clear. Though not contained in a written will, he made his wishes known to all his children. The property was meant to remain in the family and was never to be sold,” Ofem said.
He further claimed that Chief Inah had intended each of his children to inherit a flat in the building, while Maurice, as the eldest son, was allocated the surrounding vacant land for development. According to him, the siblings were shocked by the alleged sale, particularly as they estimate the property’s value at between N300 million and N400 million.
Also speaking, Mildred Ikheloa (née Inah) said the family was seeking justice and the enforcement of their late father’s wishes.
She called for the property to be returned to the family, arguing that the buyer should be refunded the money paid for the transaction.
When contacted, Maurice Inah neither confirmed nor denied allegations that he sold the property without the consent of his siblings or that he had been collecting rent from other family properties.
He described the matter as a family issue and said he would provide a detailed account at a later date.
