On 6th November, 2001, one Eden Petro Minja, a
person with business interests and properties in Shinyanga and Moshi, died
intestate. He was survived by a widow, the Respondent herein, and two children.
Nobody applied for letters of administration of the deceased’s estate until
May 2012, which was almost eleven years later, when the Respondent lodged
her application in the Urban Primary Court of Shinyanga. The application was
valiantly opposed by the deceased’s younger sibling, the Appellant herein, who
entered a caveat on the ground that he was the only person nominated by the
deceased’s clan members, at a meeting held on 12th November, 2001,
to administer the estate. In its decision dated 19th October, 2012,
the Primary Court appeared to appease the opposing parties as it appointed both
of them co-administrators of the estate.
Being unsatisfied, the Respondent unsuccessfully appealed to the
District Court of Shinyanga, assailing the validity of her brother-in-law’s
appointment on six grounds. Undeterred, she further appealed to the High Court
at Tabora on a single ground of grievance and this time the tables were turned
against her adversary. The High Court having revoked his appointment, the
Appellant now appeals to this Court.