A legal dispute over the estate of late former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has brought to light an extensive list of properties and assets linked to the deceased politician across Nigeria and abroad.
The revelation emerged during proceedings at an Oyo State High Court following a suit filed by Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, the first daughter of the late governor, who is challenging the administration of her father’s estate.
In the suit marked I/443/2024, Aderinto asked the court to intervene in the handling of the estate, alleging that some assets had already been sold without her knowledge or consent.
Joined as defendants in the case are Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, widow of the deceased, and Olamide Alabi, another daughter, who are listed in court documents as executors and administrators of the estate.
Aderinto told the court that as the first daughter of the late politician, she has both legal and equitable interests in the estate. She further alleged that plans were ongoing to dispose of additional properties or enter into joint venture arrangements involving the assets.
She urged the court to halt any further transactions involving the estate, warning that failure to do so could lead to irreversible losses.
In its ruling, the court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from selling or entering into transactions concerning the disputed properties pending the determination of the case. The court also ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.
As part of her claims, Aderinto requested that DNA tests be conducted to determine the biological relationship between the late governor and several individuals connected to the estate. Those listed include Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju Alao-Akala, Tabitha, and Olamikunle.
She further asked the court to order the exhumation of her father’s remains for the purpose of conducting the paternity tests, with the results to be submitted under seal to the presiding judge and only opened in court.
The court adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026, to rule on the application.
The dispute has also revealed that the late governor owned numerous assets, including properties in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a five-star hotel in Ghana.
Among the properties listed are residential buildings in Ikoyi, Ikeja, Surulere, and Oniru in Lagos; several houses and large parcels of land in Ibadan and Ogbomoso; fuel stations, a gas plant, and a microfinance bank.
International properties linked to the estate include a house in Queens, New York, in the United States, and another property in Essex, England.
Alao-Akala, who served as governor of Oyo State from 2007 to 2011, died on January 12, 2022, at the age of 71 in Ogbomoso. Since his death, disputes have continued over the administration and distribution of his estate
