Legal Battle Over Alao-Akala’s Estate: Daughter Seeks DNA Tests to Confirm Heirs
Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto Demands Paternity Verification
Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, the first daughter of the late Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, has approached an Oyo High Court in Ibadan, under motion number I/443/2024, requesting DNA tests to verify the paternity of seven individuals claiming to be the biological children of the deceased. Represented by counsel Oladipo Olasope, Alao-Aderinto seeks to confirm her own status and that of six others—Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (a current House of Representatives member), Tabitha, and Olamikunle—through tests at a court-approved, accredited laboratory.
Call for Exhumation of Alao-Akala’s Remains
To facilitate the paternity tests, Alao-Aderinto has requested the exhumation of her father’s remains. She has asked that the DNA results be submitted under seal to the presiding judge, to be revealed only during open court proceedings, ensuring transparency in the contentious matter.
Dispute Over Estate Administration
Alao-Akala, who died on January 12, 2022, at age 71 in Ogbomoso, left behind a substantial estate that has sparked a legal dispute. The suit names Kemi Alao-Akala, the late governor’s wife, and Olamide Alabi, alleged to be his daughter, as defendants. Alao-Aderinto accuses them of securing a letter of administration for the estate without proper consent, leading to claims of mismanagement and the exclusion of other legitimate heirs.
Push to Nullify Administration Letter
Alao-Aderinto is urging the court to declare the letter of administration obtained by the defendants as illegal, null, and void. She also seeks a perpetual injunction to prevent further sale, transfer, or disposal of the estate’s assets, which include properties in Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a five-star hotel in Ghana, multiple vehicles, and bank accounts holding hundreds of millions in naira, dollars, and pounds sterling.
Allegations of Exclusion and Mismanagement
In a supporting affidavit, Alao-Aderinto alleges that the defendants manipulated information to seize control of the estate, sidelining other heirs. The ongoing legal battle highlights deep familial and financial tensions over the late governor’s legacy, with significant implications for the distribution of his vast assets.