…Alleges attempt to obstruct police probe, mislead public
By: Sunday Ameh
The family of the late Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, has faulted claims by one of the deceased’s wife, that she has access to the police autopsy report on his death.
In a strongly worded statement, the family described the claim as “a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and obstruct the ongoing homicide investigation” into the controversial death of the politician, which occurred seven weeks ago.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Pastor Akinyele Akingboye, head of the Akingboye family, said the widow’s public remarks were “a dangerous diversionary tactic designed to sell a false narrative and potentially compromise the integrity of the police investigation.”
“The family is disturbed by Mrs. Christianah Akingboye’s attempt to mislead the public and possibly distort the police investigation. These claims represent an effort to poison the well of justice before the official findings are made public,” Pastor Akingboye stated.
He expressed concern that, contrary to Mrs. Akingboye’s claim, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had informed the family on October 24 that the autopsy report was still in police custody and would not be released until investigations were concluded.
“Yet, impossibly, just 24 hours later, Mrs. Akingboye appeared in one of the national dailies newspaper claiming detailed knowledge of the autopsy findings,” he said.
The family further questioned the credibility of Mrs. Akingboye’s claim that her husband “fell from a balcony,” insisting that available photographic evidence showing bruises and bloodstains on the deceased’s body contradicts that account.
“How can one party claim to have such an important report while the family and complainant are kept in the dark? This is not about access, this is about obstruction,” Pastor Akingboye added.
Echoing the family’s position, the deceased’s first son, Mr. Samuel Akingboye, confirmed that the police had repeatedly maintained that the autopsy report remains confidential until the investigation is complete.
“The police told us clearly that the autopsy result is exclusive to them as they conclude their investigation. They are responsible for making their findings public when they are done,” he said.
The death of Otunba Akingboye sparked controversy after images of his bruised body circulated on social media, prompting the police to launch a homicide investigation
One of the deceased’s wife and several others present in the house at the time of his death were briefly detained for questioning.
Pastor Akinyele urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to “do a thorough job to ensure fairness and justice to the deceased,” warning that false public claims must be treated as obstruction of justice.
As the investigation enters its eighth week, the family vowed not to allow “the narrative to be hijacked” and called for an impartial and transparent conclusion to the probe.
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