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The Ondo State Government may need to exhume the body of the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for an autopsy to determine the cause of his death in response to public demand.
Residents have requested that a Coroner's inquest be established to investigate Akeredolu’s death.
This planned inquiry arises amid a dispute involving Akeredolu's wife, Betty, the state government, and the Olowo of Owo regarding the destruction of a memorial built during Akeredolu’s administration to honor worshippers who lost their lives in the state.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, announced that the state government has received petitions from various groups asking for the activation of the Coroners Law concerning the former Governor's death.
In a statement on Monday, Ajulo affirmed that citizens can request the Coroners Law's application, which is meant to address public concerns regarding deaths viewed as unnatural or contentious.
He stressed that under this law, any citizen or group that suspects foul play or has unresolved questions about a death has the legal right to seek a coroner’s inquiry. “It is acceptable for citizens to request its invocation when there are genuine concerns.
The Attorney General must act according to the law when such issues are raised by the public,” Dr. Ajulo stated.
While acknowledging the petitions linked to the former Governor's passing, he assured that the law will be upheld without bias or favor.
He reiterated that his Ministry is dedicated to transparency, legal integrity, and due process in dealing with sensitive situations.
“We have received petitions from groups both within and outside the state, including professional organizations and even from the late Governor’s hometown. I want to be clear: due process will be observed.
The law exists to serve the people and ensure that truth and justice prevail,” he emphasized.
The petitioners have called on the Attorney General to launch an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the former Governor’s death, raising concerns based on past and recent public comments, as well as what they termed “unguarded and erratic behavior” of the former First Lady, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
In their petitions, she and other individuals were specifically named as persons of interest, with the petitioners suggesting that her actions raise doubts about the official account stating that the former Governor died from cancer-related issues.
When queried about the steps his office would take in response, the Attorney General reiterated that a legal process exists for every situation and encouraged citizens to let the law proceed without making premature accusations against anyone, stating, “If invitations or arrests are necessary, the process will adhere to what is required.”
Clarifying his stance on inspections of the late Governor’s remains, Dr. Ajulo noted that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroners Law and the discretion of the Coroner Judge and not his own or anyone else's. “The law will run its course,” he added.
The chief legal officer of the state urged calm and civility, calling on the public to allow legal proceedings to unfold without disturbance. He remarked, “We must handle this matter with dignity, civility, and a strong sense of responsibility to the late Governor's legacy and the peace of the state.”
Dr. Ajulo reiterated the current administration’s resolve, emphasizing that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa's government is committed to pursuing justice and maintaining constitutional order.
“No one is above the law, and no one is outside its protection. Where the law offers relief, Governor Aiyedatiwa's government will not fall short,” he concluded.
