A heated inheritance battle has broken out in the family of the late former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, as his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, has approached the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan seeking a DNA test to verify the paternity of seven individuals claiming to be his biological children.
In a motion marked I/443/2024, filed before Justice K.B. Taiwo of Court 12, Alao-Aderinto is also requesting the exhumation of her father’s remains from the mausoleum at his Ogbomoso residence. She argues that this is necessary to conduct a conclusive DNA analysis to determine the rightful heirs to the late governor’s extensive estate.
Represented by her legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oladipo Olasope, the petitioner asked the court to mandate DNA tests at a certified forensic laboratory for herself and the seven others: Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (currently a federal lawmaker), Tabitha, and Olamikunle. She further requested that the results be submitted in a sealed envelope directly to the presiding judge and subsequently announced in open court.
The legal action comes in the wake of an escalating family dispute following Alao-Akala’s death on January 12, 2022. The former governor reportedly died intestate—without a will—leaving behind a sprawling estate that includes properties in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a luxury hotel in Ghana, high-end vehicles, and multiple bank accounts containing large sums in various currencies.
According to her affidavit, Alao-Aderinto claims the tensions worsened in October 2022 after two individuals—Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi—obtained Letters of Administration from the Oyo State Probate Registry without her consent or input. She alleges that the move was orchestrated to unlawfully sideline her and others from benefiting from the estate, in violation of Nigeria’s succession laws.
She contends that the respondents manipulated facts to gain sole control over the vast estate, thereby depriving other potential beneficiaries, including overlooked children, trusted aides, and close associates of the late governor.
Alao-Aderinto insists that only a court-ordered DNA test can provide scientific clarity to the growing dispute and ensure that the inheritance is distributed fairly among all legitimate heirs. The court has yet to fix a date for hearing the motion.
