The widow of the late business and political figure, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, has been officially cleared of any involvement in his death and has appealed for the space to grieve her husband in peace.
Legal Exoneration Based on Evidence
The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has issued a legal advice that completely exonerates Mrs. Christiana Akingboye, her children, and their domestic staff. The advice, signed by the Director, Dr. Babajide Martins, followed a thorough review of the case surrounding the death of Chief Benson Akingboye on September 3, 2025.
The DPP concluded that the prominent politician died by suicide. The advice stated there was no prima facie case for murder or any other offence against the suspects. It directed the police to release them if they were still being held.
Key Findings That Led to the Clearance
The prosecution's decision was based on multiple strands of evidence:
- CCTV footage from a neighbouring property showed no one pushing the deceased from the balcony.
- Witness statements and police investigation found no evidence of physical harm inflicted by the suspects.
- The post-mortem examination revealed no injuries consistent with an attack by a third party.
- The medical findings indicated suicide, a possibility supported by the deceased's known bipolar disorder.
The legal document explicitly ruled out the core elements of murder against Mrs. Akingboye and the others under investigation.
A Family's Plea for Privacy and Healing
Addressing the media in Lagos with her children, Christiana Akingboye described the profound hardship her family has endured. She stated that the intense public scrutiny and speculation in the weeks after her husband's passing compounded their grief at a time when they needed to mourn privately.
"I stand before you today as a wife, a mother, and a woman who has experienced profound loss," she said. She remembered her husband not as a public figure but as the loving centre of their family for over thirty-four years.
She expressed gratitude to her family, friends, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Assembly, and the wider community for their prayers and support. Her final appeal was for compassion: "We seek only the dignity to mourn, to heal, and to move forward in peace."
Legal Counsel Highlights the Human Cost
The family's lawyer, Dr. Sheriff Abiodun Adesanya, emphasised the human story behind the legal conclusion. He noted that the family cooperated fully with authorities while navigating their shock and loss.
He revealed that for months, the widow and her children lived under a cloud of public suspicion instead of being allowed to grieve. "They have endured not only the pain of bereavement, but the torment of uncertainty, public commentary, and emotional exhaustion," Adesanya stated.
Regarding potential legal actions following their ordeal, the counsel indicated the family is yet to make a decision. Their immediate focus is finally beginning the mourning process that was so abruptly interrupted.
