A Lagos State High Court sitting at Osborne has adjourned further hearing in the suit challenging the burial arrangements of late businessman and former Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Akingboye, to March 2, 2026.
When the matter came up on February 23, 2026, Justice Atinuke Ipaye renewed earlier interim orders directing that the remains of the deceased be preserved for another seven days pending the determination of the substantive motion before the court.
In a ruling delivered on February 16, 2026, the court restrained the Medical Director of Lagos Island General Hospital, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, and the deceased’s first son, Samuel Akingboye, from “burying, interring, transporting or tampering with the remains” of the late chief.
Justice Ipaye held that applications of such nature require the court to exercise its discretion “judicially and judiciously based on established principles of law.” She emphasised that since the motion ex parte was being considered, the court would refrain from making substantive pronouncements at that stage.
However, she noted that the applicants had placed “sufficient and compelling facts” before the court to warrant the grant of interim reliefs.
The suit, marked LD/9238/2026, was instituted by Mrs Christiana Akingboye and six of her children Iyanuoluwa Michael Akingboye, Oluwagbenga Anthony Akingboye, Benson Bamidele Akingboye, Melvin Ayomikun Akingboye, Zion Akinbamidele Akingboye and Michealla Omoyiwola Akingboye.
In their application dated January 29, 2026, the applicants sought interim injunctions restraining the respondents from “burying, transporting or altering the condition or custody” of the remains pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
They also urged the court to preserve the status quo and prevent any burial arrangements based on alleged authorisation or consent issued without their involvement.
Counsel to the applicants, Dr Sheriff Adesanya, relied on affidavit evidence and a written address in urging the court to grant the reliefs sought.
In granting the orders, Justice Ipaye observed that the dispute was emotionally charged, involving the alleged surviving widow and six children who sought to protect their right to participate in the burial of their husband and father in accordance with his wishes while alive.
The court directed that the status quo be maintained concerning the remains and ordered that no steps be taken regarding the movement, release, handling or disposal of the body pending the determination of the suit.
It further restrained the respondents from recognising or acting on any purported authorisation relating to the burial issued by any person other than the applicants. Additionally, the court barred Samuel Akingboye or anyone acting on his behalf from arranging or conducting any burial within or outside Lagos State pending the hearing of the originating motion on notice.
Justice Ipaye also ordered that the body of the late chief be preserved in an appropriate facility until the case is resolved.
Chief Akingboye died on September 3, 2025, in Lagos amid initial public controversy and a police investigation. Allegations of possible foul play were raised, particularly involving his widow and children.
However, the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, after reviewing police reports, CCTV footage, witness statements, medical records and post-mortem findings, issued a legal advice stating that there was “no prima facie case” against the widow, her children or any member of the household and that “no prosecution should be initiated.”
Investigators reportedly found no evidence of physical harm inflicted on the deceased, while the post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was consistent with suicide.
