The Executors of the Last Will and Testament of the late Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu (CFR, OFR, MFR, KSC) have strongly denied circulating media reports that the renowned statesman barred his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Frances Iwuanyanwu, from remarrying.
In an official statement released from the family estate at Oriental Plaza, Ugwu Orji, Owerri, the executors expressed deep concern over what they described as “false and deliberately mischievous” narratives.
“We have observed with understandable dismay, the circulation of false and misleading reports… suggesting that Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu included in his Will a restriction barring Chief (Mrs.) Frances Iwuanyanwu from remarrying,” the statement read.
The executors — Rt. Rev Emmanuel Maduwuike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Prince Lemmy Akakem, and Sir Bon Unachukwu — unequivocally stated that no such clause exists in the Will and condemned the reports as “entirely false and targeted at bringing the name of our revered departed statesman to disrepute.”
According to them, “Nowhere in the Last Will and Testament of the Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) was Chief (Mrs.) Frances Iwuanyanwu prohibited from remarrying.”
Describing the misinformation as “deeply disrespectful to his memory and the legacy of love, dignity, and truth which he lived and died for,” the executors emphasized that the late Chief Iwuanyanwu was a loving and honorable man who treated his wife and family with the utmost respect.
“It is both painful and unfortunate that during this period of mourning… some individuals have chosen to exploit their grief by peddling sensationalism and distortion for cheap publicity,” they added.
They further warned that the family will not tolerate continued attacks on the legacy of the late statesman and hinted at potential legal actions. “We will not hesitate to challenge such comments and work with our lawyer to explore legal sanctions… in court for further comments directed to degrade or ridicule the family, estate, legacy and memory of one of Nigeria’s finest statesmen of this generation,” the statement continued.
The Will, according to the executors, was carefully prepared with “love and deep thoughtfulness,” reflecting the late Iwuanyanwu’s deep Christian values, philanthropy, and compassion for the less privileged.
They also affirmed that the family remains united and peaceful. “We can confirm, that the family, left behind by our revered departed Statesman is united, peaceful, and focused just the way, Late Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu wanted.”
The statement concluded with a call for the public and media to respect the privacy of the grieving family and avoid amplifying unverified claims.
“May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace,” the statement signed by all four executors concluded.
This rebuttal serves as a strong stand against the growing trend of falsehoods in digital media, emphasising the sacredness of mourning and the dignity of legacy.
