…Alleges attempt to obstruct police probe, mislead public
The family of the late Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, has faulted claims by his second wife, Mrs. Christianah Akingboye, that she has access to the police autopsy report on his death.
The family described the claim as “a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and obstruct the ongoing homicide investigation” into the politician’s controversial death seven weeks ago.
Pastor Akinyele Akingboye, head of the deceased’s family, said Mrs. Akingboye’s public assertions were “a dangerous diversionary tactic designed to sell a false narrative and potentially compromise the integrity of the police investigation.”
“The family is concerned and disturbed by the claims of Mrs. Christianah Akingboye in the publication, where she is attempting to sell a wrong narrative and possibly trying to obstruct or distort the police investigation,” Pastor Akingboye stated. “These claims represent an active attempt to mislead the public and poison the well of justice before the actual findings are revealed.”
He said the family found it curious that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had, on October 24, informed them that the autopsy report was still in police custody and would not be released until the investigation was concluded.
“Yet impossibly, just 24 hours later, Mrs. Akingboye appeared in ThisDay newspaper claiming detailed knowledge of the autopsy findings,” he said.
The family insists that Mrs. Akingboye’s version of events — suggesting her husband “fell from a balcony” — contradicts photographic evidence showing bruises and bloodstains on the late politician’s body. “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.
“We are asking the Commissioner of Police to verify these claims immediately. If Mrs. Akingboye has the autopsy report as she claims, how did she obtain it when the CP told us that it remains exclusively with the police?” Pastor Akingboye demanded.
The deceased’s first son, Mr. Samuel Akingboye, echoed the family’s position, saying the police had confirmed that the autopsy result remained confidential until the completion of the investigation.
“Like the police told me and the family, the autopsy result is exclusive to the police as they round up their investigation. They are saddled with the responsibility of making their findings public when they are done,” he said.
The late Akingboye’s death sparked controversy after images of his bruised body went viral on social media, prompting a police homicide probe. Mrs. Akingboye and others present in the house were detained briefly as part of the investigation.
Pastor Akinyele urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to “do a thorough job to ensure fairness and justice to the deceased,” warning that any false claims must be treated as obstruction of justice.
As the investigation enters its eighth week, the family maintains that it will not allow “the narrative to be hijacked” and called for an impartial conclusion to the probe that has kept the public waiting for answers.
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