A fresh controversy is stirring on social media following reports that the late billionaire businessman and politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, included a controversial clause in his will, forbidding his wife, Frances Chinonyerem Enwerem, from remarrying — or risk forfeiting her inheritance.
Sources close to the family claim that the clause, now making the rounds online, explicitly states that Frances, who married the elder statesman in September 2013 at the age of 26, would only retain access to the wealth he left behind if she remained unmarried after his death. Chief Iwuanyanwu was 72 at the time of their union.
The move has sparked widespread debate under the trending hashtag #LoveForMoney, with many Nigerians questioning the ethics and legality of such stipulations in wills. Critics argue that the clause is controlling and unfair, while supporters say the billionaire had the right to protect his estate in whatever way he deemed fit.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, a renowned philanthropist, publisher, and one-time presidential hopeful, passed away in April 2024 at the age of 81. He was a respected figure in Nigerian politics and business, particularly in the Southeast.
As of press time, neither Frances nor representatives of the Iwuanyanwu family have publicly responded to the claims. Legal experts note that such a clause, while uncommon, could be enforceable depending on how the will was structured and the jurisdiction in which it was filed.
Meanwhile, online conversations continue to buzz, with many reflecting on the intersection of love, power, and wealth in high-profile marriages.
