Issele-Uku, Delta State — Claims emerging from Issele-Uku have placed Chi-Chi Ojei, daughter of the late businessman and philanthropist Chief Nuel Ojei, at the center of a growing family dispute involving legitimacy and inheritance.
According to accounts attributed to Afoma, a sister of the deceased, Chi-Chi Ojei was allegedly conceived before the marriage between Chief Nuel Ojei and his wife, Vivian Ojei. The claim further suggests that while the late businessman may have been aware of the circumstances, he chose to remain silent in order to avoid public sentiment and controversy.
Chi-Chi Ojei previously served as Executive Director of Finance at Nuel Ojei Holdings, a company associated with the late businessman’s commercial interests. Family sources allege that she was dismissed from the role prior to her father’s death, citing poor financial management. These claims have not been independently verified.
Tensions reportedly escalated in the first week of February 2026 following renewed allegations made by Afoma in Issele-Uku. Community accounts indicate that Afoma claims to possess firsthand information supporting her assertion that Chi-Chi Ojei was conceived before the marriage between Vivian Ojei and Chief Nuel Ojei.
The dispute has since expanded into a broader disagreement over control and inheritance of the Ojei estate. Sources claim that Chi-Chi Ojei has positioned herself as the heir. However, custom and tradition of the Issele-Uku people reportedly recognize the first son, Chuks Ojei, as the rightful head of the family and heir.
Further reports from Issele-Uku suggest that Chuks Ojei has the backing of the remaining siblings to succeed as heir, while the alleged illegitimate daughter, Chi-Chi Ojei, is said to have the backing of her mother.
Observers familiar with inheritance disputes in Delta State note that such conflicts are often shaped by a combination of customary law, statutory law, and family consensus, none of which, when applied in this case, appear to favor Chi-Chi Ojei.
Additional allegations suggest that Chi-Chi Ojei, despite the unresolved inheritance issues, has been involved in the sale of cars and properties in Lagos linked to the late Chief Ojei. Opposing family members argue that these assets form part of the estate and should not be disposed of without letters of administration or probate authorization.
While no court has ruled on the legality of any such transactions, legal practitioners warn that the unauthorized sale of estate property, if proven, could expose both sellers and buyers to serious legal liability.