•••Demands Transparency in Ongoing Investigation
Seven weeks after the sudden death of Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, his family has raised serious concerns about claims made by Mrs. Christianah Akingboye in recent media publications, alleging she is attempting to obstruct ongoing police investigations.
The family has expressed alarm that while the Lagos State Commissioner of Police maintains that the autopsy report and investigation findings remain exclusively with police authorities and that the investigation is not yet concluded, Mrs. Christianah Akingboye, the deceased’s second wife and a person of interest in the investigation, has publicly claimed access to the police autopsy report and investigation outcome.
Pastor Akinyele Akingboye, head of the deceased’s family, speaking on behalf of the family, noted the Commissioner of Police had informed them at a meeting on Friday, October 24, 2025, that the autopsy result remains exclusive to the police and that neither the family nor any other parties can have access to the report pending conclusion of investigation. However, just one day later, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, Mrs. Akingboye was quoted in media reports claiming to have access to the autopsy report.
“The family is concerned and disturbed by the claims of Mrs. Christianah Akingboye in recent media publications, where she is attempting to sell a wrong narrative and possibly trying to obstruct or distort the police investigation,” Pastor Akingboye stated. He said the family is now urging the Police to investigate Mrs. Akingboye’s claims and has cautioned against anyone trying to obstruct transparent investigation. “The action of Mrs. Akingboye calls for questioning, more so that her actions suggest something beyond the current ongoing investigation by the authorities,” he added.
Pastor Akingboye emphasized that the Commissioner of Police should look into this matter to ensure clarity on these claims. “A dangerous pattern is being set if these claims are allowed to stand unchallenged,” he warned.
When contacted, the first child of the deceased, Mr. Samuel Akingboye, declined extensive comments, stating that the issue remains under police investigation. “Like the police told me and the family, the autopsy result is exclusive to the police as they round up their investigation. They are saddled with the responsibility of making their findings public when they are done. We have been assured that the investigation will be concluded very soon. So, I have nothing to say as I am awaiting the outcome of their investigation,” Mr. Samuel stated. He added, “Whoever lays claims to anything is only obliged to defend it. I have only asked a simple question like many others, and it is to know the cause and circumstances surrounding my father’s death. And the police are currently on it.”
The Personal Assistant and Media Adviser to the late Akingboye, Mr. Oyeniyi Iwakun, said he has been keenly following the investigation and taking note of all details but would not wish to speak at the moment until the police conclude their investigation and release their findings. Oyeniyi Iwakun said he hasn’t been speaking to the press because of the sensitivity of the case, and as a professional, he owes the public only facts and truth.
Clarifying his position at the time of the incident, Oyeniyi Iwakun said he was in Okitipupa, Ondo State when he heard the news of his boss’s death. “The only information I could confirm at that moment while announcing his death was that he was dead and that it happened at his VGC residence,” he stated. “In the midst of media controversies, I had traveled to Lagos on the third day for a condolence visit and to have a firsthand assessment of the situation but realized that it had become a police issue, with the entire situation being investigated by the police, hence the limitations to his public communications on the issues,” he explained.
Oyeniyi Iwakun, who expressed his support for the ongoing investigation, reaffirmed his loyalty only to his late boss even in death and said he is in full support of all processes that will unravel the true cause of his death. He, however, assured that he wouldn’t hesitate to speak to the public when the need arises and will speak to the public soon.
In media interviews published on October 25, 2025, Mrs. Christianah Akingboye, who was at the residence with the children and domestic staff when the incident occurred, reportedly claimed to have both CCTV footage and the autopsy report. She was quoted as saying, “At dawn, CCTV cameras captured him stepping off the balcony.” “The autopsy hints at a fall — broken ribs, fractured skull.” These claims directly contradict the Commissioner of Police’s instruction to the family on October 24, 2025, that no one, including the complainants, would have access to the report despite repeated requests by the deceased’s family and their team of lawyers.
“How can one party claim to have such an important report while the family and complainant are kept in the dark?” Pastor Akinyele Akingboye questioned. “What justifies this selective disclosure if true?” The Commissioner of Police has reportedly set up a committee to review the autopsy results and ordered further investigation, though details remain unclear.
Akingboye’s death immediately raised suspicion when photographs showing bruises and bloodstains on his body circulated on social media. The images prompted public outcry and calls for a thorough investigation. The deceased’s first son subsequently filed a formal police complaint, and the State CID Homicide Department began investigating, collecting forensic evidence while awaiting the autopsy report. Individuals present at the residence were arrested and detained for three days before being released.
Pastor Akinyele Akingboye reiterated the family’s position: “The autopsy result should be treated with utmost professionalism. It should be available to all parties involved and even the public when the investigation is concluded.” The family is now calling for the authentication or otherwise of Mrs. Christianah Akingboye’s claims, demanding that she should be invited for questioning by the police authorities. They are insisting that the police should confirm or debunk her claims in recent media interviews to establish if it is truly the position of things.
“We are asking the Commissioner of Police to verify these claims. If Mrs. Akingboye has the autopsy report as she claims, how did she obtain it when the CP told us that it remains exclusively with the police? If she doesn’t have it, then why make such claims publicly just one day after that meeting? She should be questioned about this,” Pastor Akingboye stated. The family is calling on the Commissioner of Police to do a thorough job to ensure fairness and justice to the deceased.
The public continues to await clarity on the circumstances surrounding the death of the prominent politician, whose sudden passing has generated widespread interest and concern across Ondo State and beyond.
