Ex-Gov. Alao-Akala’s daughter seeks DNA test for siblings, exhumation in inheritance battle

A legal dispute has erupted within the family of late former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, as his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, has asked an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan to order DNA tests to confirm the paternity of seven individuals claiming to be his biological children.

In a motion filed before Justice Taiwo of Court 12 with number I/443/2024, Alao-Aderinto also seeks the exhumation of her father’s body from the mausoleum at his Ogbomoso residence to enable the test.

Through her lawyer, Oladipo Olasope (SAN), she asked the court to mandate the DNA test be conducted at an accredited lab on herself and the other named individuals: Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Olamiju (a serving member of the House of Representatives), Tabitha, and Olamikunle.

She further requested that test results be submitted in a sealed envelope to the judge for pronouncement in open court. The application adds a new twist to a growing family feud over the former governor’s vast estate, following his death on January 12, 2022, without a will.

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Tensions reportedly escalated in October 2022 when two individuals—Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi—secured Letters of Administration over the estate from the Oyo State Probate Registry without Oluwatoyin’s consent. She alleges that this action excluded her and others unlawfully and violated succession laws.

According to her affidavit, the defendants manipulated facts to assume control over assets that span properties in Nigeria, the UK, the US, a luxury hotel in Ghana, vehicles, and bank accounts containing hundreds of millions in naira, dollars, and pounds.

Alao-Aderinto insists the estate should benefit all legitimate heirs—including overlooked children, aides, and close associates—and argues that only scientific proof can settle the growing questions over true paternity and rightful inheritance.