- ‘Advice has brought closure to our tragedy’
The widow of late Chief Bamidele Akingboye, a former governorship aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Mrs Christiana Akingboye, yesterday said she and her family have been completely vindicated following the final legal advice issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on her husband’s death.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Mrs Akingboye said the DPP’s advice, dated January 5, 2026, brought to an end months of speculation, suspicion and emotional trauma that trailed the passing of her husband on September 3, 2025.
She confirmed that the state’s chief prosecutorial authority found no case against her, her children or any member of their household.
“The Lagos State Government has concluded its independent and thorough review of this matter and has cleared us of any wrongdoing.
“The advice is clear: there is no case to answer, no foul play was established, and no prosecution should proceed against me, my children or any member of our family,” she said.
Describing the advice as the final prosecutorial position of Lagos State, Mrs Akingboye said the decision affirmed what the family had consistently maintained since the tragic loss of her husband.
According to her, the legal conclusion has brought a measure of closure after a prolonged period of public scrutiny that compounded their grief.
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Identifying herself “first as a wife, a mother and a human being in grief,” she said the months following her husband’s death were among the most difficult of her life.
She noted that instead of being allowed to mourn privately, her family was thrust into the public arena, forced to defend their integrity at a time of profound personal loss.
“Before we could even begin to grieve properly, we were subjected to intense speculation and commentary. We found ourselves defending our love for a man we lost, while still trying to make sense of the tragedy,” she said. “The emotional toll on my children, in particular, was heavy and deeply painful.”
Despite the strain, Mrs Akingboye said the family cooperated fully with all investigative and lawful processes initiated by the authorities.
She stressed that they made themselves available to investigators at all times, even while navigating shock, loss and emotional exhaustion.
“We did not evade any process. We submitted ourselves to every lawful inquiry because we believed in the system and in the truth. That process has now run its full course,” she said.
Mrs Akingboye appealed to the public and the media to respect the family’s privacy and allow them the space to heal. She noted that while the legal process may have timelines, grief and healing do not.
“Grief does not run on legal timelines. Healing cannot be rushed. We ask for compassion and understanding as we try to rebuild our lives after this loss,” she said.
She also cautioned against harmful assumptions and stigmatisation, particularly around mental health issues.
According to her, such assumptions not only deepen pain for grieving families but also discourage open conversations and compassion.
“Mental health challenges are not crimes. They deserve care, empathy and support, not judgment, suspicion or sensationalism,” she said.
Mrs Akingboye expressed gratitude to family members, friends and well-wishers who stood by her family during the difficult period.
She paid special tribute to members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Assembly, for their prayers and support, and commended her children for their resilience in the face of adversity.
“We seek no controversy and no further debate. We ask only for the dignity to mourn, to heal and to move forward in peace,” she concluded.
Details of the DPP’s advice, signed by Dr Babajide Martins, indicated that the post-mortem examination conducted on the deceased found no injuries consistent with the involvement of a third party.
The advice further noted that the medical findings were consistent with suicide, which could not be excluded in light of the deceased’s documented bipolar disorder.
On the basis of the medical evidence and other materials reviewed, the DPP concluded that no prima facie case existed against the widow or any member of her family, and that no criminal prosecution should be initiated.
Counsel to the family, Dr Abiodun Adesanya, confirmed the DPP’s position, describing it as clear, thorough and unequivocal.
He said the advice followed a detailed assessment of all available evidence, including medical records, post-mortem findings, witness statements and other materials submitted to the authorities.
“The conclusion was not reached lightly. The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions reviewed the totality of the evidence before it and found that while a death occurred, no act of foul play was established and there was no basis for any criminal charge,” Adesanya said.
He noted that beyond the legal findings, the human cost of the prolonged scrutiny faced by the family should not be ignored.
According to him, the widow and her children lived under a cloud of suspicion at a time when they should have been mourning privately.
“This is not about triumph or blame. It is about truth, closure and compassion. The criminal aspect of this matter has now been conclusively settled,” he said.
Adesanya added that while the family is still considering its personal options going forward, it hopes the conclusion of the investigation will put an end to speculation and allow them to grieve in peace.
Earlier reports had highlighted the widow’s call for the release of her husband’s autopsy report amid widespread speculation surrounding his death, including claims by a blogger that the report confirmed foul play. The DPP’s advice has now laid those claims to rest, the family said.
