Late Herbert Wigwe has 106 luxury properties in London – Report

A former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Corporation Plc, late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, has been linked to 106 luxury properties in London.

The disclosure, published by The Londoner, is based on an analysis of newly released data on overseas ownership of real estate in the United Kingdom.

The report ranked Wigwe seventh among top owners of prime London properties, highlighting the scale of his portfolio, which surpasses several institutions and influential investors.

According to the findings, “Wigwe’s 106-property portfolio places him ahead of powerful entities such as the Private Department of the President of the UAE… and the Washington State Investment Board.”

The analysis showed that thousands of high-value properties in London are held through offshore companies, often registered in jurisdictions such as Jersey, Guernsey, and the British Virgin Islands, allowing owners to maintain anonymity while controlling significant real estate assets.

It added that recent UK regulations requiring overseas entities to declare beneficial ownership have begun to reveal previously hidden property networks.

Using data compiled by Tax Policy Associates, the report said over 32,000 London properties are owned by foreign entities.

Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States in February 2024 alongside his son and wife, was one of Nigeria’s most prominent banking figures and played a key role in the acquisition and growth of Access Bank.