In a move that many have described as shocking, the Ondo State Government has revealed that a coroner’s inquest will be launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a former of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, and exhume his body l.
18 months ago, Akeredolu was reported to have succumbed to prostate cancer, which he battled for a while during his tenure as governor of the Sunshine State. He died on December 27, 2023.
In a twist of events, the Ondo State government led by the current state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, disclosed that the move to probe the cause of his death became imperative following a request from some unidentified citizens of the state who submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice.
According to Ajulo, the petitioner, whose identities he refused to disclose, alleged that the widow of the late Akeredolu, Betty, and others were suspected of being behind the demise of the former governor.
While emphasising that the coroner’s law in the state was designed to address public concerns surrounding deaths considered unnatural or controversial, Ajulo emphasised that under the law, any citizen or group who reasonably.
law, any citizen or group who reasonably suspects foul play or has lingering questions about a person’s death has the legal right to demand a coroner’s inquest.
Ajulo, who stressed that the law would be allowed to take its course without bias or sentiment, said, “It is not out of place for citizens to demand its invocation when there are legitimate concerns.”
