The legal battle over the estate of former Oyo State governor, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, has taken a decisive turn after Oyo State High Court in Ibadan ordered a halt to all transactions involving his properties pending the resolution of a family dispute.
In a ruling that underscores the intensifying contest over the late politician’s assets, the court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining his widow, Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, and other parties from selling, transferring, or entering into any agreement concerning the disputed properties.
The order followed a suit filed by the deceased’s first daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, who is challenging the administration of the estate. She approached the court seeking protection of what she described as her legal and equitable interests in her father’s assets.
Listed as defendants in the suit 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 agents, or any persons acting on their behalf to refrain from further dealings on the properties until the substantive issues are determined. The court also ordered an accelerated hearing, signalling urgency in resolving the dispute.
Court documents indicate that the claimant alleged that some estate assets had already been sold without her consent, while plans were underway to dispose of others or enter into joint venture arrangements. She warned that, unless restrained, such actions could result in irreversible losses and compromise her entitlements.
The application, filed under the Oyo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, urged the court to intervene to prevent further dissipation of the estate pending a final decision.
The development has brought renewed attention to the complexities surrounding the administration of the late governor’s estate, with legal and familial tensions now unfolding in court.
In a further twist, proceedings also featured an application seeking DNA testing among individuals connected to the dispute, indicating deeper underlying claims over entitlement. The court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, for a ruling on the application.
With the restraining order now in effect, attention shifts to the substantive hearing, which is expected to determine not only the ownership structure of the assets but also the legitimacy of competing claims.
The late Alao-Akala, who governed Oyo State between 2007 and 2011, remained a significant figure in the state’s political landscape until his death, making the ongoing dispute one of considerable public interest.
