Court dismisses review request in late Tanzanian billionaire Reginald Mengi estate dispute

Omokolade Ajayi -

Key Points

  • The Court of Appeal dismisses Jacqueline Mengi’s review application, upholding the High Court’s ruling on the disputed will.
  • Mengi’s widow contested the High Court’s decision invalidating a will that excluded the billionaire’s elder children from inheritance.
  • The court ruled Jacqueline’s grounds for review were insufficient, reinforcing the High Court’s appointment of administrators for the estate.

The Court of Appeal of Tanzania has dismissed a review application filed by Jacqueline Mengi, widow of the late Tanzanian billionaire media tycoon Reginald Mengi. This ruling marks another setback in her ongoing legal battle over control of her late husband’s estate, estimated at Ksh60 billion ($460 million)

Jacqueline Mengi and her twin sons had been contesting the High Court’s revocation of a will that had previously been declared invalid. The will, which excluded Mengi’s elder children from inheritance, was disputed on several grounds, including the lack of witnesses and discrepancies in the signature.

In case number 748/01 of 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision, ruling that the reasons provided by Jacqueline for a review were insufficient. The three-judge panel, headed by Rehema Mkuye and including judges Abraham Mwampashi and Zainabu Muruke, concluded that the issues raised were more appropriate for an appeal rather than a review.

Tanzanian billionaire Reginald Mengi’s estate sparks family feud

The probate case originates from the estate of Reginald Mengi, who passed away on May 2, 2019, in Dubai. Following his death, a will surfaced, bequeathing the entirety of his estate, estimated to be worth $560 million, to Jacqueline and their twin sons, Jaden and Ryan. 

However, this will was contested by Mengi’s eldest child, Abdiel Reginald Mengi, and his younger brother, Benjamini Abraham Mengi, leading to a protracted legal battle.

On March 18, 2021, the High Court ruled that the will was invalid, appointing Abdiel and Benjamini as administrators of the estate. This decision was based on the will’s exclusion of other children and the inclusion of assets from Mengi’s previous marriage.

High Court ruling stands firm

In response, Jacqueline and her legal team sought to have the Court of Appeal overturn the High Court’s ruling, but the application was dismissed. The Court of Appeal found that the grounds for the review were essentially those of an appeal, reiterating that the review process is not intended to reargue an appeal.

The court also addressed claims of procedural errors and unfair hearing, concluding that all parties had been allowed to present their cases. The court’s decision reinforces the High Court’s ruling and further complicates the widow’s efforts to secure control over the estate.