Court Bars Alao-Akala's Family From Managing Late Governor’s Estate

The succession dispute surrounding the estate of former Oyo State governor, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, escalated on Friday as an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan barred key family members from carrying out any transactions on the late politician’s assets.

The court’s interlocutory injunction affects his daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, his widow, Kemi Alao-Akala, and Olamide Alabi, all of whom are involved in the administration of the estate. They, along with their agents or representatives, are prohibited from selling, transferring, or entering into any agreements involving the disputed properties until the substantive suit is determined.

The ruling follows a suit filed by Aderinto, who is seeking the court’s intervention in managing her late father’s estate to assert her rights as his first daughter. In granting the injunction, the court stressed the importance of preserving the estate and preventing actions that could undermine the interests of the parties involved.

Aderinto had alleged that some properties had already been sold without her consent, and she warned that continued transactions could cause irreversible harm to her claims and entitlements. Efforts to dispose of additional assets or enter joint venture arrangements tied to the estate were also highlighted in her suit.

The proceedings took a new twist with the introduction of an application requesting DNA testing among individuals linked to the inheritance dispute, raising the stakes over issues of lineage and rightful claims. After hearing arguments from counsel, the court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the DNA request. The judge also directed that the case be given accelerated hearing, signalling the urgency attached to resolving this high-profile family disagreement.