What Is the Process of Obtaining Letters of Administration in Ogun State?
Introduction
When a loved one dies without a valid Will, their money, land, houses, vehicles, investments, and personal effects can’t be accessed or shared lawfully until a court empowers someone to manage the estate. In Ogun State, that authority is called Letters of Administration (LA) and it is issued by the Probate Registry of the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta. This guide explains—in plain English—the exact steps, documents, timelines, frequent bottlenecks, and practical tips for getting LA in Ogun, including what to do if there are disputes, missing heirs, or assets scattered across states. If you need a lawyer to take the burden off you, our team helps families secure LA quickly, correctly, and with dignity.
Quick context: Probate/LA is handled by the state judiciary via its Probate Registry; Ogun State lists Probate among its services and provides contact details for the judiciary complex in Abeokuta. ogunstatejudiciary.gov.ng+1
Key Terms (so you’re speaking the Registry’s language)
Intestate: The deceased left no valid Will (this is when you apply for LA).
Administrators: The person(s) the court authorizes to manage and share the estate in an intestacy.
Letters of Administration (LA): The court’s formal grant giving administrators legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate.
Bank Certificate / Estate Valuation: Registry tools to verify assets and compute fees.
Caveat: An objection filed by an interested person to pause or contest an application.
Resealing: Recognizing a grant from another state or country so it can be used in Ogun (if the deceased had assets in multiple jurisdictions). Mondaq+2Mondaq+2
Who Is Entitled to Apply (Priority List)
If there is no Will, the Registry generally follows a priority ladder like this:
Surviving spouse
Children (or grandchildren of a deceased child)
Parents
Siblings
More distant relatives
Creditors (in special cases)
Administrator-General (public trustee) if nobody else qualifies
Most Nigerian guidance and Registry practice align with this order; always confirm specifics at the Ogun Probate desk before filing. aekleysolicitors.com+1
Required Documents (Ogun State—typical pack)
Expect to prepare and submit forms and supporting papers like:
Application for Letters of Administration
Oath of Administration (each proposed administrator)
Administration Bond (+ Sureties and their justifications)
Declaration as to Next-of-Kin
Inventory/Schedule of Assets & Liabilities (movable + immovable)
Particulars of Landed Property (if any)
Schedule of Debts & Funeral Expenses
Death Certificate (original/CTC)
Passport Photos & ID Cards (administrators and sureties)
Bank Certificate(s) (for bank/investment balances)
Valuation Reports for real property (where applicable)
Nigerian procedural write-ups consistently list these items; Ogun follows the same general framework (with local forms you’ll pick up at the Abeokuta Probate counter). aekleysolicitors.com+1
Step-by-Step: How to Obtain Letters of Administration in Ogun State
Step 1 — Make an Initial Enquiry at the Probate Registry (Abeokuta)
Go to the Ogun State High Court Probate Registry to request the current forms, fee schedule, and any practice directions (naming conventions, acceptable newspapers for notices, surety standards, etc.).
Address (Judiciary Complex): Kobape Road, PMB 3009, Sapon, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Phone: +234 706 044 4285. ogunstatejudiciary.gov.ng+1
Step 2 — Compile Your Application Pack
Gather the documents listed above and carefully complete the Registry forms (or have a lawyer do it). Accuracy of names, dates, relationships, and asset descriptions prevents delays. aekleysolicitors.com
Step 3 — File the Application & Pay Initial Filing Fees
Submit the completed forms with all attachments. The Registry checks for completeness and may ask you to correct errors or supply missing items. Mondaq
Step 4 — Publication / Notice to Creditors & Interested Persons
The Registry typically directs you to publish a notice (often in a widely circulated newspaper or gazette) inviting objections (caveats) within a stated period (commonly about 21 days). If a caveat is filed, your matter can become contentious and move to court for determination. aekleysolicitors.com
Step 5 — Asset Verification, Bank Certificate & Assessment of Estate Fees
You’ll be guided to obtain a Bank Certificate (listing accounts/investments) and submit valuations for land/buildings. The Probate office then assesses estate duty/fees based on declared assets; you’ll be told the exact amount to pay under Ogun’s schedule. (States differ; confirm Ogun’s current rates at filing.) trustedadvisorslaw.com+1
Step 6 — Oaths, Interviews & Sureties
Administrators swear the Oath of Administration. The Registry may interview administrators and sureties to confirm identities, relationships, and capacity. Surety requirements protect beneficiaries against mismanagement. aekleysolicitors.com
Step 7 — Issuance of Letters of Administration
If no valid objection remains and all requirements/fees are satisfied, the Probate Judge authorizes the grant. The Registry then prepares, signs, and issues the Letters of Administration. Collect a sealed copy from the counter (keep multiple certified copies for banks and registries). Mondaq
Step 8 — After the Grant: What Administrators Must Do
With LA in hand, administrators must:
Collect the assets (write to banks/registrars/land registries attaching the LA).
Pay debts & estate expenses (including funeral costs and lawful claims).
Distribute the balance to beneficiaries under applicable intestacy rules (statutory/customary, as relevant).
Keep accounts/receipts, and file any required final account with the Registry if directed.
If you discover additional assets later, apply for a Certificate of Additional Assets to bring them under the grant. (This concept is expressly documented in Lagos; Ogun follows similar practice—ask the Probate desk for their add-assets process.) probate.lagosjudiciary.gov.ng
How Long Does It Take?
A simple, uncontested Ogun application—with clean paperwork—can run a few months. Delays usually trace to incomplete forms, valuation issues, untraceable sureties, disputes, or publication/caveat timelines. (Timelines are practice-driven; confirm current estimate at filing.) Mondaq
Fees & Costs (What to Expect)
Court/Registry fees for forms, notices, assessments, and the grant itself.
Publication costs (newspaper/gazette).
Valuation fees (where needed).
Professional fees (if you retain a lawyer).
States set their own schedules; the Ogun Probate counter will give you the latest payable rates at the assessment stage. Ibugbe
Special Situations You Should Plan For
1) Resealing (Assets in Multiple States/Countries)
If a grant is obtained in another state (or country) but assets also lie in Ogun, you’ll apply to reseal that grant in Ogun so you can lawfully deal with Ogun-based assets. Resealing procedure is well recognized in Nigerian practice and commentary. Mondaq+2resolutionlawng.com+2
2) Disputes & Caveats
Family disagreements, allegations about who should administer, or rival claims can force the matter into contentious probate before a judge. Retain counsel early if a dispute is likely. Mondaq
3) Customary vs. Statutory Sharing
Where customary succession rules apply (e.g., to certain family land) alongside statutory rules for movables, distribution planning must be careful to avoid later challenges. Get local legal advice in Ogun before sharing land. (General Nigerian guidance recognizes these overlaps.) Mondaq
Practical Tips to Avoid Delays
Use the exact names on the death certificate across all forms.
List all known assets (banks, pensions, shares, vehicles, real estate).
Pick reliable sureties (traceable, with valid ID and residence).
Keep copies of everything filed; get receipts.
Communicate with other beneficiaries to minimize objections.
Follow up politely but persistently at the Probate desk.
Authoritative Nigerian guides emphasize complete documentation, proper sureties, and prompt responses to Registry queries. aekleysolicitors.com+1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can two or more people be administrators?
Yes. The Registry can issue LA to joint administrators (e.g., spouse + adult child) if they qualify and consent. Mondaq
Q2. Can a non-relative apply?
Only in limited scenarios (e.g., creditors), and usually after closer relatives decline or are ineligible. Check with the Probate desk first. Mondaq
Q3. The deceased owned land in Ogun and bank accounts in another state—do I need separate grants?
You’ll typically apply where the deceased lived or where significant assets lie, then reseal in the other state if needed. Mondaq
Q4. What if we later discover an extra account or parcel of land?
Apply to add additional assets under the existing grant (Ogun will indicate its process; Lagos documents this explicitly). probate.lagosjudiciary.gov.ng
Q5. Can the Registry refuse my sureties?
Yes. If a surety isn’t credible/traceable, you may be asked to change them or provide additional justification. aekleysolicitors.com
Simple Checklist (copy into a WordPress List block)
Get the Death Certificate
Identify eligible Administrators (spouse/children, etc.)
Collect IDs & passport photos (administrators & sureties)
Prepare Inventory/Schedule of Assets & Liabilities
Obtain property particulars & valuations (if any)
Visit Ogun Probate Registry (Abeokuta) for forms & fee guidance
File forms + supporting documents; pay initial fees
Publish Notice; wait for the objection period
Obtain Bank Certificate(s) and complete assessment
Swear Oaths; present Sureties
Pay assessed probate/estate fees
Collect Letters of Administration (sealed)
Collect assets → pay debts → distribute estate
Add additional assets if discovered later
Keep records and close the estate properly ogunstatejudiciary.gov.ng+2aekleysolicitors.com+2
Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)
If you’re dealing with an Ogun State estate, we can help you prepare all forms, run publications, handle sureties and assessments, and liaise with banks/registrars—so you can focus on family.