Late Herbert Wigwe linked to 106 luxury London properties - Report

A fresh look into London's high-end property market has uncovered a surprising detail about one of Africa's most influential banking figures.

Late Dr Herbert Wigwe, who served as CEO of Access Corporation Plc, is reportedly linked to 106 luxury properties across London, according to an exclusive report by The Londoner.

The report, which analysed newly released data on overseas ownership of UK real estate, places Wigwe among the top foreign owners of prime London property, ahead of several global institutions and powerful investors.

Per the report, Dr Wigwe ranks 7th overall, reflecting the sheer scale of his real estate footprint in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

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Topping the list is John Corless with 246 properties, followed by Sarah Bard (130), Simon Reuben (129), Alexander Bard (122), Rit Thirakomen (120), and Wolfgang Peter Egger (120).

Herbert Wigwe's 106-property portfolio even surpasses holdings by some heavyweight institutions such as:

• The Private Department of the President of the UAE (84 properties)

• Ashah Joosab (80 properties)

• The Washington State Investment Board (51 properties)

In simple terms, one man quietly held more London property than some governments and major funds.

Additionally, the findings throw light on how global elites, including Herbert Wigwe, structure these investments.

5 companies and ventures linked to the late Nigerian banker Herbert Wigwe

Many of London's most valuable properties, from sleek apartments in Canary Wharf to prime retail spaces along Oxford Street, are owned through offshore companies in places like Jersey, Guernsey, and the British Virgin Islands.

Although these structures are legal, they have historically made it difficult to trace true ownership. However, this appears to be changing, according to the report by The Londoner.

A 2022 UK law now requires overseas entities to declare their beneficial owners, which is beginning to expose long-hidden property empires.

Using data compiled by Dan Neidle of Tax Policy Associates, the report identified some 32,611 London properties owned by overseas entities.

Before his tragic passing in February 2024, Dr Herbert Wigwe was widely known as the driving force behind Access Bank’s expansion into a pan-African financial powerhouse.

Group CEO of Access Holdings Herbert Wigwe, five others die in helicopter crash - Reports

Tragically, he, his wife, and first son died in a helicopter crash in the United States. The aircraft was en route from Palm Springs to Boulder City when it suddenly went down.

They were reportedly heading to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

See the full report here

With additional files from The Londoner

MA