UK Publishes List of Deceased Nigerians with Unclaimed Estates: Families Urged to Claim Assets

The United Kingdom government has released a list of unclaimed estates belonging to deceased individuals, including 58 Nigerians who passed away without leaving a will or known next of kin.

The list, updated on March 24, 2025, includes names, dates of death, places of death, marital status, and Bona Vacantia (BV) reference numbers of the deceased. Notable entries include:

• Julius Taiwo Akinyeye: Died on July 19, 1995, in Derby, Derbyshire. ​

• Adenike Adebiyi: Date of death unknown, from Hackney, London N1, identified as a spinster with BV reference BV21003032/1. ​

• Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh: Died on February 5, 1998, in Chiswick, London W4, listed as a widower with BV reference BV984930/1. ​

• Akanni Jeremiah Adejumo: Passed away on March 31, 2017, in Muswell Hill, London N10. ​

• Solomon Adekanmibi: Died on January 31, 2021, in Colchester, Essex. ​

  
  

The UK government's Bona Vacantia division manages these estates, which remain unclaimed when individuals die intestate (without a will) and without known relatives. There is a 30-year time limit from the date of death for these estates to be claimed; otherwise, they may revert to the Crown. ​

Families who believe they may be entitled to claim an estate must provide proof of their relationship to the deceased. This includes submitting a family tree, birth, marriage, and death certificates, and identification documents linking their name and address. Any discrepancies or missing documents must be explained with supporting evidence. It's advisable for claimants to seek assistance from a solicitor, law centre, or Citizens Advice Bureau, as the Bona Vacantia division does not provide legal advice. ​

For a complete list of deceased Nigerians with unclaimed estates and details on how to claim, refer to the UK government's official publication.