Court Adjourns Burial of Former SDP Candidate Amid Family Dispute

A Lagos State High Court has temporarily halted proceedings for the burial of Chief Bamidele Akingboye, a former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, as a bitter family dispute rumbles on.

Justice Atinuke Ipaye of the Osborne court adjourned further hearing in the matter to 2 March 2026, maintaining an earlier interim order that preserves the remains of the late businessman pending the resolution of substantive legal motions.

The dispute centres on an application filed by Mrs. Christiana Akingboye and six of her children, who are seeking legal orders to protect their right to be involved in the burial arrangements in accordance with Chief Akingboye’s wishes. 

In granting the interim injunction, Justice Ipaye emphasised that the court must exercise its discretion “judicially and judiciously”, given the highly charged nature of the case.

The judge noted that the applicants had presented “sufficient and compelling facts” to justify temporary protection of the deceased’s remains. 

The order restrains the Medical Director of Lagos Island General Hospital, the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (CID, Panti), and Samuel Akingboye from burying, interring, transporting or tampering with the body until the substantive motion is heard and determined. 

Furthermore, the court barred the deceased’s first son, Samuel Akingboye, or anyone acting on his behalf, from arranging or conducting the burial within or outside Lagos State during the interim period. 

Chief Akingboye passed away on 3 September 2025 in Lagos. His death initially sparked public controversy and drew a police investigation, although authorities later indicated there was no prima facie case against his widow, children or household members. 

The legal advice issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions concluded that the post-mortem findings were consistent with suicide and recommended that no prosecution be initiated as reported by PUNCH.