The legal tussle over the estate of former Oyo State governor, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, has escalated, with an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan ordering an immediate suspension of all transactions involving his properties pending the resolution of an ongoing family dispute.
In a ruling highlighting the growing tension over the late politician’s assets, the court issued an interlocutory injunction restraining his widow, Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, and other involved parties from selling, transferring, or entering into agreements concerning the disputed estate.
The decision followed a suit filed by his first daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, who is contesting the management of the estate. She asked the court to safeguard what she described as her legal and equitable rights to her father’s assets.
Named as defendants in the case are Mrs. Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, identified as executors and administrators of the estate.
In granting the application, the court directed the defendants, their representatives, and anyone acting on their behalf to halt all dealings related to the properties until the main issues in the case are resolved. It also ordered an accelerated hearing, indicating the urgency of the matter.
According to court filings, the claimant alleged that some estate assets had already been sold without her consent, with plans underway to dispose of others or enter into joint venture arrangements. She warned that such actions could lead to irreversible losses and undermine her entitlements if not stopped.
The application, filed under the Oyo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, urged judicial intervention to prevent further dissipation of the estate before a final ruling is delivered.
The case has drawn fresh attention to the complexities surrounding the administration of the late governor’s estate, as legal and family tensions continue to unfold.
In another twist, the proceedings included a request for DNA testing among individuals linked to the dispute, suggesting deeper claims over inheritance rights. The court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, to rule on that application.
With the restraining order now in place, focus shifts to the substantive hearing, which is expected to determine ownership of the assets and the validity of competing claims.
The late Alao-Akala, who served as governor of Oyo State from 2007 to 2011, remained a prominent political figure until his passing, making the dispute a matter of significant public interest.
