How Luggage Issues Prevented me from Taking Ill-fated Flight — Wigwe’s PA

Simon Faleye, Personal Assistant to the late Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, narrowly escaped the fatal helicopter crash that claimed Wigwe’s life, along with his wife, son, and business associate Abimbola Ogunbajo.

Speaking at the Night of Tributes, Faleye revealed that he was initially scheduled to board the ill-fated chopper but opted to transport their luggage by road due to space constraints. Wigwe supported the decision, considering it a brilliant idea.

While Faleye embarked on a road trip to Vegas with the luggage, Wigwe, his family, and Ogunbajo boarded the helicopter for the same destination. During the journey, Faleye attempted to contact them but couldn’t establish a connection.

Reflecting on the decision, Faleye shared, “As they were loading the luggage, this thought started playing in my mind that, okay, you will fly the helicopter, one hour you are there. The next three and a half hours, the luggage is not going to come. Will I go to bed? No. I still have to sit down and wait for those luggage to come.”

“I thought it’s safer and more secure for me to just ride and bring the luggage to you. He said, ‘brilliant idea,’ and I said, ‘safe flight,'” Faleye recounted.