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A legal battle has emerged over the estate of the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, the former governor of Oyo State, revealing a sprawling portfolio of assets both in Nigeria and abroad. The dispute came to light in proceedings at an Oyo State High Court, where the late governor’s first daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, challenged the handling of his estate.
Aderinto, in suit I/443/2024, claims she has legal and equitable interests in her father’s assets. She alleged that some properties had already been sold without her consent and accused the estate’s administrators of attempting to enter into additional sales or joint ventures without proper approval.
The defendants in the case include Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, both named as executors and administrators of the estate. The court has barred them from selling or transferring any properties until the matter is resolved and has ordered an expedited hearing.
In addition to halting transactions, Aderinto has requested court permission to conduct DNA tests on herself and six other alleged heirs—Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (a sitting member of the House of Representatives), Tabitha, and Olamikunle—to confirm their biological relationship with the late governor. She also requested that her father’s remains be exhumed for testing, with results to be submitted under seal to the presiding judge. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 16, 2026.
The properties under contention are extensive and include multiple residential, commercial, and investment holdings across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some of the key assets listed in court documents include:
• Private residence at No. 1, Oba Akinyele Avenue, Ibadan
• Guest houses in Agodi GRA, Ibadan, and YOACO, Ogbomoso
• Multiple plots in Samonda, Ibadan, and 7,000 acres near Ibadan Golf Club
• Duplexes and mansions in Lagos, including George Street, Ikoyi, and Iponri Barracks, Surulere
• Commercial properties, including the Old UAC Building, Dugbe, Ibadan, and Olowolagba Microfinance Bank
• Filling stations and a gas plant in Ogbomoso, including Eternal Mega, TDB, and NIPCO
• Media and farmland holdings, including Parrot FM and a warehouse/farm in Ogbomoso
• Overseas properties such as 140-23 160th Street, Queens, New York, and 19 San Juan Drive, Essex, England
• Significant land holdings in Ogbomoso, including the proposed Alao-Akala College of Health Sciences and Umera Farms
The late governor passed away on January 12, 2022, in Ogbomoso at the age of 71. Since his death, the management and division of his assets have been contentious, with the family unable to reach a consensus on distribution.
Legal experts observing the case note that the dispute highlights the complexity of administering estates with both domestic and international properties. Questions over prior sales, administrative decisions, and the legitimacy of certain heirs have made the matter particularly intricate, underscoring the need for careful judicial oversight.
As the court prepares for the next hearing in April, the resolution of this case will determine not only how Alao-Akala’s estate is divided but also set a precedent for handling estates of public figures with extensive and diverse property portfolios.
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