Juba County Court rules on late Eritrean businessman’s estate, names all children as heirs
A court ruling in Juba has settled a property dispute over the estate of late Eritrean businessman Gabreslasse Woldeabzgi, naming all children from his two families as legal beneficiaries.
Recently, the Chairperson of the Ethiopian Community in South Sudan, Jibrill Ibrahim, called for government intervention on behalf of Mrs. Saba Girma, who alleged she had been unlawfully evicted from her home.
Mrs. Girma, an Ethiopian national and self-identified widow of the deceased, claimed her property and vehicles were confiscated by the late businessman’s wife, Mrs. Teigisti Hagos Ghebre.
Court documents obtained by Eye Radio reveal that the Juba County Court has officially appointed Mrs. Teigisti Hagos Ghebre as the legal administrator of the estate. The records indicate that Mrs. Saba Girma, represented by Advocate Paulino Akange Akot, has appealed the ruling.
The documents further clarify that under Eritrean law, Christian teachings and the 1977 Marriage Law define polygamy as a crime. This stance is reinforced by the 2015 Penal Code of Eritrea, which contains strict provisions upholding monogamous marriage and prohibiting polygamy. While Mrs. Girma presented evidence of a 2013 wedding at a Presbyterian church in Juba, the court noted that the Orthodox Church recognizes only Mrs. Teigisti as the legal spouse.
In a ruling issued in March 2025, Presiding Judge Manglest Amusa William of the Court of Juba officially appointed Mrs. Teigisti as the Estate Administrator, ensuring the distribution of assets among all recognized heirs.
Despite the dispute between the two women, the court order ensures that all children of the deceased are recognized as legal beneficiaries. The judge has ordered the assets to be divided among all six children, including the two children of Mrs. Saba Girma.
The court-recognized beneficiaries include Mrs. Teigisti Hagos Ghebre, the legal wife of the deceased, who has been appointed as the Estate Administrator.
The six children recognized by the court as legal heirs are:
- Abraham Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi
- Ruth Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi
- Yosan Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi
- Salihom Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi
- Filmon Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi (Child of Mrs. Girma)
- Adyam Gebreselassie Woldbeabzgi (Child of Mrs. Girma)
The ruling confirms that while Mrs. Girma herself was not named an administrator, her children are legally protected and included in the inheritance of their late father’s properties, vehicles, and business assets.
