Herbert Wigwe linked to 106 London properties, ranks 7th in offshore ownership report

A recent investigation by *The Londoner* has associated the late Nigerian banker Herbert Wigwe with ownership interests in 106 residential and commercial properties in London, placing him among the top foreign-linked real estate holders in the city.

The findings are based on newly released disclosure data introduced after UK regulations required overseas companies to identify their ultimate beneficial owners. The dataset reviewed by researchers covers more than 32,000 London properties held through foreign entities.

According to the report, the transparency changes made it possible to trace ownership patterns that were previously obscured by offshore structures. The properties identified span several high-value districts across the city and include assets registered through companies incorporated in jurisdictions such as Jersey.

Wigwe, who served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc before his death in a helicopter crash in the United States in February 2024, was ranked seventh in the list of individuals linked to the highest number of London properties.

He died alongside his wife, his son, and former NGX Group chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

The investigation, which drew on data compiled with input from tax policy researchers, reviewed thousands of offshore-linked property records and mapped ownership structures tied to global investors.

It also highlighted the scale of foreign-held real estate in London, with notable holdings connected to corporate vehicles spread across multiple jurisdictions.

Since Wigwe’s death, his estate has been subject to ongoing legal proceedings involving his family.

The report adds to wider scrutiny of offshore property ownership in London, where regulatory reforms have begun to expose previously hidden investment networks.