An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has issued a 30-day summons to Kemi Alao-Akala, the widow of the late Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala. The court has ordered her to appear regarding allegations of illegal actions concerning the administration of her late husband’s estate.
According to court documents obtained in Ibadan, the case involves claims made by the deceased’s eldest daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto. She alleges that Kemi Alao-Akala and co-defendant, Olamide Alabi, improperly obtained a letter of administration for the late governor’s estate without her consent. The claimant argues that as the eldest child, she should have been included in the management of her father’s assets.
This case was initiated after Toyin, represented by her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dipo Olasope, filed suit number 1/443/2023. The court granted an ex-parte motion allowing a substituted service on the defendants, Kemi and Olamide. This followed allegations of estate mismanagement by Kemi and Olamide, further excluding Toyin from benefiting from her father’s estate.
The disputed letter of administration, which was granted to Kemi and Olamide by the High Court on October 6, 2022, is at the center of the controversy. Toyin contends that the letter was obtained illegally, allowing the duo to manage and control the estate’s assets without proper legal authority. Toyin is now seeking a declaration from the court to nullify the letter of administration, deeming it fraudulent.
Toyin also seeks a perpetual injunction to prevent Kemi and Olamide from selling or disposing of any part of the late governor’s estate. She further demands that her right to inheritance as the eldest daughter of the former governor be recognized by law.
A previous letter dated August 16, 2023, signed by Olasope and addressed to Kemi and Olamide, had accused the defendants of sidestepping Toyin in the administration process. The letter emphasized that Toyin should have been involved in the management of her father’s estate unless she had declined. The letter further detailed how Kemi, along with her children and Olamide, allegedly conspired to allocate the late governor’s estate solely among themselves, without including all legitimate heirs.
Before bringing the matter to court, Toyin issued a 21-day notice for the defendants to amend the letter of administration and address the irregularities. Another seven days’ notice followed before Toyin sought legal action to protect her inheritance rights.
