Lagos DPP Clears Akingboye Family of Wrongdoing in Ex-SDP Governorship Candidate’s Death

Wale Igbintade

Mrs. Christiana Akingboye, widow of the late Chief Bamidele Akingboye, former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, has confirmed that the Lagos State Government has formally cleared her and her family of any wrongdoing in connection with her husband’s death, following months of speculation and public scrutiny.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos in Lagos, Akingboye disclosed that the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued its final legal advice on January 5, 2026, concluding that there was no case to answer.
“After a thorough and independent review of all materials placed before it, the state concluded that no prima facie case exists, that no foul play was established, and that no prosecution should proceed against me, my children, or any member of our household,” she said.

She described the DPP’s advice as “the final prosecutorial position of Lagos State on this matter.”
Introducing herself as “a wife, a mother, who has experienced profound loss,” Akingboye said her husband died on September 3, 2025, noting that the period following his death was deeply traumatic for the family.
“In the period after his passing, my children and I found ourselves under intense public attention at a time when we should have been allowed to grieve privately,” she said.

“The weeks that followed were emotionally overwhelming, marked by speculation and commentary that compounded our pain.”
Despite the trauma, she said the family cooperated fully with investigators.
“Throughout this period, my family and I cooperated with all lawful processes and made ourselves available whenever required, even while navigating the shock and grief of our loss,” she stated.

While appealing for privacy, Akingboye urged the public and the media to allow her family the space to heal.

“With that clarity, we ask for one thing only—space. Grief does not follow legal timelines, and healing cannot be rushed,” she said.

She also addressed what she described as damaging assumptions in public discourse, particularly around mental health.

 “Mental health challenges, where they exist, are not a crime and are not evidence of wrongdoing. They deserve care, understanding, and compassion, not suspicion or judgement,” she said.

Akingboye thanked those who supported her family throughout the ordeal, expressing gratitude to relatives, friends, and members of the wider community for their prayers and kindness.

She paid special tribute to her children “whose strength and resilience continue to inspire me,” as well as members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Assembly, for their support.

She concluded by stressing that the family has no desire to prolong the controversy.

“My family and I seek no controversy and no further debate. We seek only the dignity to mourn, to heal, and to move forward in peace,” she said.

In the legal advice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, stated that the post-mortem examination conducted on the deceased did not reveal any injury consistent with the involvement of a third party.

He added that the post-mortem findings indicated suicide, which, according to the advice, could not be excluded in light of the deceased’s bipolar disorder.

“In the light of the foregoing, there is no prima facie case against Christiana Akingboye, her children, or any member of the family,” the advice concluded.

Also speaking at the press conference, the family’s lawyer, Dr. Abiodun Adesanya, confirmed that the DPP found no case against the Akingboye family over the death of Chief Bamidele Akingboye.

Adesanya said the DPP’s advice followed a detailed assessment of all investigative materials, including medical records, post-mortem findings, and witness statements.

“That advice concluded, clearly and unequivocally, that no prima facie case exists, that no foul play could be established, and that no prosecution should proceed against any member of this family,” he said, describing it as “the final prosecutorial position of Lagos State on this matter.”

Beyond the legal outcome, Adesanya said the family had endured months of emotional trauma and public judgement.

“For months, this widow and her children lived under a cloud of suspicion and speculation at a time when they should have been allowed to grieve privately,” he said.

“Instead of mourning a husband and father, they were forced to relive their loss repeatedly.”