Widow, in-laws at war over husband’s entitlements

Four months after Mr. Kolawole Ahmed lost his life in an accident at Ikorodu, his family are said to be at loggerheads with his widow, Agnes, over his entitlements.


Kolawole died on April 13, 2013, when his vehicle plunged into the Majidun River, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Before his death, he was  a manager with the Ikoyi Golf Club.

It was reported in the Sunday PUNCH of April 14 that the vehicle, a Toyota van belonging to the club, veered off the road, before plunging into the river.

It was gathered that trouble began in the family after Agnes was contacted by Kolawole’s colleague to retrieve her late husband’s car, a Mazda 626, which was still parked on the company premises.

Agnes said, “My husband’s colleague called me last month to come and pick his car. Since I lived in the family house, I informed my mother-in-law about the call and my intention to bring the car back to the house.

“At the time, I had no idea that his family had written to the company to pay them my husband’s entitlements.

“My mother-in-law replied that I should wait for my husband’s eldest sister and brothers to come back home before doing anything.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that Kolawole, before his death, lived with his siblings in a one-storey building at Imam Ojogu Street in the Agege area of the state.

It was learnt that later, a family meeting was summoned with Kolawole’s siblings in attendance. Agnes once again repeated what she had earlier told her mother-in-law.

Agnes said, “To my surprise, my in-laws reacted angrily. They told me that I was trying to steal my husband’s money, saying it belonged to them.

“They accused me of conniving with his employers to deny them of his entitlements. It was at that moment that I realised that they had written to the company without my knowledge.

“When I denied their accusations, Kolawole’s youngest brother, Bosun, slapped me and threatened to deal with me. I was forced to flee my apartment- we lived in a flat downstairs – while Ahmed’s siblings and mother occupied the flat upstairs.

“I was able to pack only a few things before leaving. I have three children; the eldest is 10 years. I am all they have left. Right now, I am squatting with friends but I want to go back and pack my things without fear.”

It was gathered that the widow had not made any formal report to the police. The matter, was, however, said to be before a non-governmental organisation concerned with women issues.

When PUNCH Metro contacted the Ahmed family, they denied Agnes’ allegations.

Ahmed’s eldest sister, Mrs. Tokunbo Awebiyi, said, “Anything I say on this matter, I will rather say it in Agnes’ presence or at least one member of her family. I don’t want to talk to you alone.

“Also our lawyer must be present. We have not collected anything from Ahmed’s employers; they didn’t answer us.”

Bosun also denied threatening his sister-in-law. He said, “I never slapped her; nobody in this family threatened her. Agnes left her home on her own accord. Everything she told you are all lies. We are not dragging Ahmed’s entitlements with her.”