Family of late Nigerian business executive who died in helicopter crash with Hebert Wigwe sues for wrongful death

[L-R]: The late Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX); the late Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc. ©provided by Business Insider Africa

・The family of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, late chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), has filed a lawsuit following his death in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles.

・The lawsuit accuses Orbic Air LLC, the flight operator, of failing to adequately prepare for predictable weather conditions, which contributed to the crash.

・The family is seeking answers and accountability for the preventable tragedy.

The Family of Abimbola Ogunbanjo—the First Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and former President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange—has filed a lawsuit after his death in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, just outside of Los Angeles.

“Our clients seek answers and accountability from the helicopter operator that was responsible for the passengers’ safety,” said Andrew C. Robb, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit. Robb & Robb LLC is the premier aviation law firm in the United States. Robb & Robb LLC represented Vanessa Bryant in the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant. In January 2024, Robb & Robb LLC obtained the largest pre-trial settlement for an individual in United States history—$100 million—in a Nevada court.

Photos from helicopter crash where Wigwe, others died [Twitter:@NTSB_Newroom]

At the time of his death, Mr Ogunbanjo was travelling to attend Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada. Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Access Bank, and his wife and son were also killed in the crash.

According to official court documents seen by Business Insider Africa, the Family’s lawsuit targets Orbic Air LLC, the Los Angeles-based company that operated the flight. Among other allegations, the lawsuit claims that Orbic Air failed to plan and prepare for foreseeable weather conditions.

Witnesses said the crash occurred during a “wintry mix,” and the National Transportation Safety Board’s Preliminary Report said that weather conditions in the area were “not good.”

“This tragedy was entirely preventable. Snow and ice are very dangerous for helicopter flight, and this company should have known better,” Robb said.

The family sought the expertise of Robb & Robb, the premier law firm and foremost experts on aviation disasters in the United States. The firm also represented Vanessa Bryant in the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant and their daughter.