Lagos CP orders forensic probe into death of former Ondo governorship candidate
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered a forensic investigation into the death of former Ondo State governorship candidate, Mr Bamidele Akingboye.
The order followed circulation of a disturbing photograph of his body on social media, purportedly showing bruises on his head and raising doubts about the real cause of death.
The image has sparked suspicion that Akingboye’s death may not have been natural, contradicting earlier reports that he died peacefully at his VGC residence in Lagos on Wednesday.
Policemen from the Lagos State Police Command have visited his Victoria Garden City residence following fresh controversy over his death.
The disturbing photograph of his corpse, showing visible bruises on his head, went viral on social media, sparking questions about the true cause of his death.
An overseas-based investigator, Olujimi Lijoka, alleged in a viral video that about N210 million was suspiciously moved from the late politician’s account just hours after his death.
According to him, N205 million was traced to three different accounts.
Lijoka in the video, said “I am not a court, but this is deeply suspicious. We cannot fold our arms. I call on Ikale sons and daughters to rise and demand justice for Otunba”.
Family sources hinted that Akingboye, fondly called OBA, might have sustained the injuries after a heated argument in his home degenerated into a violent altercation.
Unconfirmed reports said he was allegedly pushed during the quarrel, causing him to hit his head on the tiled floor and was later rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.
Until his death, Akingboye, a philanthropist and businessman from Okitipupa, remained a prominent figure in Ondo politics.
He contested the November 2024 governorship election but lost to the incumbent, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC. He and his party, however, rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities.
Human rights advocates have urged the police to ensure a thorough, transparent and credible investigation that will determine the actual circumstances surrounding Akingboye’s death.
In a post on its official X handle, @LagosPoliceNG, on Sunday, the command confirmed that CP Jimoh had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to investigate.
“The commissioner has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, to discreetly investigate the death,” the statement read in part.
It added that detectives, supported by the Command’s Crime Scene Investigation vehicle, had visited the residence where Akingboye’s body was discovered.
According to the command, the area has been cordoned off while forensic experts employ specialised tools and methods to gather evidence and analyse the circumstances.
