The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has ordered that the payment of 10 per cent advance fee for issuance of Letters of Administration should be stopped in the state.
A statement by the state government stated that Obaseki had issued an Executive Order altering the provision of Order 53, Rule 11, Paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012, that made it mandatory for persons applying for Letters of Administration to pay 10 per cent of the total value of the property in advance.
The governor was quoted to have said the new Executive Order No: 1 of 2018, with August 1st commencement date, was a response to the plights of many beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased and retired government workers who could not collect their entitlements due to their inability to pay in advance, the required 10 per cent.
The governor was quoted to have said in the Executive Order, “Whereas Order 53 Rule 11 and paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 made it mandatory for persons applying for Letters of Administration to pay 10 per cent of the total value of the Property as a condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.
“Whereas my attention has been drawn to the plight of many applicants who as beneficiaries and or next-of-kin of deceased government workers/pensioners are unable to process and obtain Letters of Administration to collect their entitlements.
“Now therefore, I Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, in exercise of the authority vested by the Constitution and other laws enabling me on that behalf, do hereby order and direct as follows: Deduction of the 10 per cent Administration of Estate Fee at source and remittance of same to the probate registry by the relevant organ of government is hereby approved to alleviate the suffering and stress encountered by beneficiaries and relatives of deceased government workers/pensioners.
“This order shall be enforced and complied with by all persons, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Edo State concerned with or empowered to administer all matters relating to this order. This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in force, unless amended, modified, terminated or rescinded.”
According to the state government, with the new Executive Order 1 of 2018, next-of-kin and beneficiaries of deceased government workers/pensioners, now have unfettered access to their property as the mandatory 10 per cent fee will be deducted from the value of the property at the point of receipt.
https://punchng.com/obaseki-stops-advance-payment-for-letter-of-administration/