Tension inside Alao-Akala’s Family As Children Engaged In Heated Legal Battle Over Inheritance

IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA – The family of  former Oyo State Governor, Late Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, has been thrown into a deepening crisis as his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, has approached the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, seeking a DNA test on seven individuals who claim to be biological children of the deceased politician.

In a dramatic twist, Mrs. Oluwatoyin filed a motion (Motion No. I/443/2024) before Justice Taiwo of Court 12, through her legal counsel, Barr. Oladipo Olasope (SAN). She is praying the court to order DNA testing involving herself and the following individuals: Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (a sitting member of the House of Representatives), Tabitha, and Olamikunle.

Oluwatoyin is also seeking a court order for the exhumation of the late Governor’s body, currently buried in a mausoleum at his Ogbomoso country home, to facilitate the paternity tests.

She is further asking that the results be submitted in a sealed envelope directly to the presiding judge, who would then pronounce the findings publicly in open court.

The fresh suit marks a serious escalation in a prolonged and messy family dispute over the vast estate left behind by Otunba Alao-Akala, who died intestate (without a will) on January 12, 2022.

Although tensions had reportedly been simmering since the burial, the conflict became public in October 2022 when Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi – believed to be one of the daughters of the deceased – secured a Letter of Administration from the Oyo State Probate Registry.

Oluwatoyin has strongly objected to the move, arguing that the administrative process was carried out without her knowledge or consent. She views the act as a deliberate and unlawful exclusion from her father’s estate affairs.

More developments are expected as the court takes up the matter in what is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about inheritance disputes in recent times within Oyo political circles.