EX Beauty Queen Helen Prest And Daughter Challenge Court Ruling Declaring Adenike Sole Widow Of Late Dr. Tosin Ajayi

Former beauty queen Helen Prest‑Ajayi and her daughter, Tomisin Ajayi, have filed an appeal challenging the Lagos High Court judgment that recognised Adenike Oluyemisi Ajayi as the sole lawful widow of the late Dr. Tosin Ajayi, founder of First Foundation Hospital.

The appeal, dated June 18 , 2026 and filed before the Court of Appeal, Lagos, seeks to overturn the June 17 , 026 judgment delivered by Justice Oluwatoyin Odusanya. 

Background of the Dispute

The legal battle stems from a long‑running dispute over the estate of Dr. Ajayi, who died in April 2020. Adenike Ajayi and her children had approached the Lagos High Court seeking a declaration that she remained the only lawful wife of the deceased and was entitled to administer his estate. 

Justice Odusanya ruled that:

--Adenike’s statutory marriage to Dr. Ajayi was never dissolved,

--Separation, no matter how long, does not end a valid marriage,

--Helen Prest‑Ajayi failed to prove her claim of a Kalabari customary marriage,

Even if such a marriage existed, it would be invalid because she was still legally married to her former husband, Mr. Davies, at the time. 

The court therefore declared Adenike the sole lawful widow and entitled to one‑third of the deceased’s personal estate, as well as the only person qualified to apply for letters of administration. 

Grounds of Appeal

In their appeal, Helen Prest‑Ajayi and Tomisin argue that the trial court

---Made erroneous findings on Helen’s marital status,

---Wrongly questioned Tomisin’s legitimacy,

---Failed to properly evaluate evidence presented,

---Ignored an earlier consent judgment from January 2021 which they say recognised Helen and Adenike as co‑wives,

----Wrongly described Helen as a “mistress” despite contrary evidence. 

They also challenge the court’s reliance on the marriage certificate presented by Adenike, arguing that its authenticity was disputed and not verified by the marriage registry. 

The appellants further contend that the trial court exceeded its jurisdiction by making pronouncements on the distribution of the estate, insisting that the case before the court was limited to determining who was entitled to apply for letters of administration. 

Helen Prest‑Ajayi and her daughter have asked the Court of Appeal to Set aside the entire judgment, Dismiss the suit filed by Adenike Ajayi and her children,and

Allow them to file additional grounds of appeal once they obtain the certified true copy of the judgment...

I dont get it, why fighting over properties?why did the man not write a will?