Court restrains Kemi Alao Akala from selling late former governor’s assets…

An Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, has barred the wife of former governor, Kemi Alao Akala, from selling, disposing or entering into any form of transaction over the disputed properties of the late, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala, pending the disposition of the substantive case.

The appellant, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, in case no. 1/443/2024 had requested judicial intervention on the administration of the deceased’s estate.

Joining as defendants/respondents in the suit are Oluwakemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, listed in court proceedings as executors and administrators of the estate of the late former governor.

Ruling on the motion for notice for an interlocutory injunction, the court granted the relief sought by the appellant, thereby restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, assignees, cabinets or any person acting through them from selling or continuing to sell, alienate or enter into joint venture arrangements in respect of the properties belonging to the late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala pending the disposition of the substantive case before the court.

The appeal was brought under Order 48 Rules 4 and 6 and Order 49 of the Oyo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Allowing the application, the court also ordered an expedited hearing of the case to ensure speedy disposal of the matter.

The appellant had told the court that she had a legal and equitable interest in the late politician’s estate and properties, being his first daughter.

He further alleged that some assets belonging to the estate had been sold without his consent, consent or knowledge, while steps would be taken to sell other properties or enter into joint venture agreements involving assets of the deceased.

According to the request, the applicant argued that there was an urgent need for the court to block further transactions relating to the properties in order to protect her rights, interests and claims to the property.

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The appellant further argued that failure to grant the injunction could result in the continued sale or disposal of the assets, which it said could cause irreversible harm to its interests in the late former governor’s estate.

With the interim injunction now in place and the expedited hearing ordered by the court, further proceedings in the case are expected to focus on the substantive issues relating to the administration and ownership of the properties forming part of the late politician’s estate.

In the meantime, during the proceedings in question, a further request was also presented to the court aimed at having a DNA test carried out between the brothers connected to the dispute.

Following arguments on the application, the court adjourned the case to April 16, 2026, to rule on the request for DNA testing.

The dispute has attracted public attention given the stature of the late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, who served as governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011 and remained a prominent political figure in the state until his death. [Nigerian Tribune]

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