Former beauty queen and lawyer, Helen Prest, appeared before the Lagos High Court on Thursday, presenting documents and photographs to support her claim of a 25-year customary marriage to the late renowned physician, Dr. Tosin Ajayi, who passed away on April 26, 2020.
Newsonspot reports that testifying before Justice Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Ms. Prest stated that her union with Dr. Ajayi began in 1996 under the Kalabari Native Law and Custom, with full support from her family. The hearing is part of an ongoing legal battle over the management of Dr. Ajayi’s estate.
The case, filed as Suit No. ID/3364LM/21, was brought by Mrs. Adenike Oluyemisi Ajayi and her children (Tomi Deru, Olumide Ajayi, Omolade Soetan, Mayowa Okeowo, and Bisola Ajayi) against Helen Prest and her daughter, Tomisin Ajayi. The claimants are asking the court to declare Mrs. Adenike as the only legal spouse of the late Dr. Ajayi and to rule that she is entitled to part of his estate.
In response, Ms. Prest and her daughter maintain that Mrs. Adenike had been estranged from the deceased for more than 35 years, asserting that a valid traditional marriage existed between Ms. Prest and Dr. Ajayi, which entitles her to inheritance rights.
Led in evidence by her lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, Ms. Prest submitted a number of exhibits, including:
A 1996 letter from Dr. Ajayi to her mother expressing his intention to marry her.
Photographs of herself, Dr. Ajayi, and their daughter over the years, including family celebrations and public appearances.
Images from her 50th birthday published in Ovation Magazine and ThisDay Style, featuring Dr. Ajayi.
A Punch interview where Dr. Ajayi publicly referred to her as his wife.
A letter from the daughter of the first claimant addressing her as “Mama” and thanking her after her wedding.
A petition to the Lagos Attorney-General regarding the alleged illegal sale of 21 hectares of land by Mrs. Adenike Ajayi.
A letter to the Ministry of Interior challenging the authenticity of a 1974 marriage certificate presented by Mrs. Adenike.
The death certificate of Dr. Ajayi from St. Nicholas Hospital.
All documents were admitted into evidence, and the case was adjourned to November 3, 2025, for cross-examination.
In their court filings, the claimants argue that Mrs. Adenike is the only legal wife and seeks one-third of the estate and the deceased’s personal belongings. However, the defendants insist that the Kalabari customary marriage between Dr. Ajayi and Ms. Prest is valid and gives her full inheritance rights. They claim no Yoruba traditional rites were ever performed between the deceased and Mrs. Adenike.
During an earlier cross-examination, Mrs. Adenike admitted that she never confronted Dr. Ajayi about his relationship with Ms. Prest during his lifetime. She stated she saw many women around him but chose not to fight, describing them as “side-chicks.”
The dispute over Dr. Ajayi’s estate continues to unfold as the court evaluates the validity of both marriages and competing claims to his legacy.
