The Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday heard how a Badagry prince excluded his siblings from sharing in the inheritance of their late father, the late King Afolabi James.
Princess Atinuke Pedetin-James said her brother, Prince Semasa James, sat on the inheritance.
Semasa’s siblings took him to court for alleged embezzlement of N500 million belonging to their late father’s estate.
Princess Pedetin-James was led in evidence by Mr. O. O. Olabisi, the prosecutor for the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.
According to her, their father, before his death, made Semasa the sole administrator of the estate.
She alleged that Semasa illegally leased and sold some of the properties and kept the bulk of the proceeds.
“My father is late. He left a lot of belongings that could be inherited by everyone, including his great grandchildren.
“He left vast properties in areas such as Victoria Island and Surulere.”
Princess Pedetin-James alleged that the estate was being managed by Semasa.
“We did not know much about everything. He refused to tell us what he was doing. We found out later that the property at Dideolu Estate was sold for N300 million.
“Semasa paid N150 million into his account. He said the estates owed him N40 million and for peace to reign, we didn’t contest his claim.
“He ended up keeping N190 million for himself and he shared N110million for the rest of his 26 siblings, with me getting N5million,” she said.
Semasa and Afolabi Kazeem are facing trial on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, cheating, stealing, forging of company resolution, fraudulent disposing of trust property and forgery.
Justice Taiwo adjourned till December 12.
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