A serious legal and familial rift has erupted within the family of late Oyo State governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, as his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, has petitioned the Oyo State High Court to order a DNA test for seven individuals claiming to be the governor’s biological children. She is also requesting the exhumation of her father’s remains to facilitate the testing.
Filed under Suit No. I/443/2024 before Justice Taiwo of Court 12, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oluwatoyin—through her lawyer, Oladipo Olasope (SAN)—is seeking the court’s approval for DNA testing involving herself and the individuals identified as Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (currently a federal lawmaker), Tabitha, and Olamikunle.
She further asked that the DNA tests be carried out at a court-accredited laboratory, with results submitted in a sealed envelope to the presiding judge, and disclosed publicly in open court.
This move marks a dramatic turn in a long-running dispute over the late governor’s estate. Alao-Akala passed away intestate (without a will) on January 12, 2022, leaving behind an extensive estate spanning Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Assets reportedly include high-value properties in Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja, and abroad, luxury vehicles, bank accounts in multiple currencies, and a five-star hotel in Ghana.
Oluwatoyin’s legal action follows a contested estate administration process that came to light in October 2022, when Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi—believed to be among the deceased’s children—secured Letters of Administration from the Oyo State Probate Registry without informing or involving her.
Describing the move as an “unlawful and deliberate exclusion,” Oluwatoyin argues it violates Nigeria’s laws on inheritance and succession. In a sworn affidavit, she accuses Kemi and Olamide of manipulating facts to gain sole control over the estate, disregarding the rights of other potential beneficiaries.
She maintains that her interest lies in ensuring fair recognition of all legitimate heirs—be they direct descendants, extended family, or long-serving aides of the late governor. Her legal team strongly opposes what they term a “winner-takes-all” approach by the current estate managers.
Olasope (SAN) stated, “This is an inheritance matter. It is only just and proper to establish who is legally entitled to benefit from the estate.”
He emphasized that the presence of unresolved paternity questions makes scientific verification not only reasonable but necessary for a fair resolution.
In a public letter dated August 2023, Olasope warned that the exclusion of Oluwatoyin breached both legal and moral principles, and cautioned that failure to resolve the dispute amicably risked deepening family divisions and tarnishing the legacy of the late governor.
The court has yet to rule on the requests, with a decision expected in due course.
