The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution(DPP) has cleared Mrs Christiana Akingboye, her children and domestic staff of any wrongdoing in connection with the death of the Social Democratic Party candidate in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election, Chief Bamidele Akingboye.
The DPP, however, affirmed earlier reports that Akingboye’s death was a suicide.
The decision is contained in a legal advice dated January 6, 2026, and signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins.
Thefrontrank reports that Akingboye, aged 60, died on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at his residence in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.
The DPP report on his death exonerated all persons investigated for alleged culpable homicide and directed the police to release them if still in custody.
It stated that the CCTV footage from the deceased’s residence showed no foul play and pointed to suicide, amid controversies that followed Akingboye’s death.
The report noted that the deceased had been grappling with bipolar disorder, allegedly linked to political setbacks and financial pressures.
In its findings, the DPP stated that while the death of Akingboye was not in dispute, investigations failed to establish any criminal responsibility on the part of the suspects.
“It is not in dispute that the deceased died; however, upon careful consideration of the CCTV recordings from the adjoining house of the deceased, the statements of the suspects and the police investigation, it was revealed that none of the suspects was seen to have thrown the deceased from the top of the balcony, nor was any physical harm seen or deduced to have been inflicted on the deceased by the suspects,” the advice read.
The DPP report explained that these findings ruled out key elements required to sustain a charge of murder.
It added that the post-mortem examination did not reveal injuries consistent with the involvement of a third party.
According to the legal advice, the post-mortem report also indicated suicide, a conclusion the DPP said could not be excluded given the deceased’s documented mental health condition.
“In the light of the foregoing, there is no prima facie case against all the suspects for the offence of murder, contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law, Chapter C17, Volume 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015, or for any offence in relation to the death of the deceased,” the DPP concluded.
The report brings to a close months of speculation and investigation surrounding the high-profile death, and effectively exonerated the family and household staff of the late politician.
Reacting to the legal advice, Mrs Akingboye said: “All I can say for now is that I am grateful to God for vindicating me and my children from the evil plot of those who were out to frame us for what we were innocent of.
“ I am also grateful to the people who stood behind us throughout this trying period. We are indeed grateful.”
