The Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has declined to prosecute Chief (Mrs.) Dorcas Adeyinka and Mr. Suraju Ashimiyu over allegations linked to the death of Ms. Folunsho Olayinka, effectively bringing the criminal case against them to a close. The decision followed a review of the police investigation report, witness statements, exhibits and medical findings submitted to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
Decision Based on Medical Evidence
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Yakubu Eleto Chambers, solicitors to the two defendants, the Attorney-General found no basis for criminal prosecution and consequently ordered the discharge of both individuals. The case, filed as Charge No. AB/46C/2025, accused Adeyinka and Ashimiyu of conspiracy and acceleration of death under the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State.
According to the law firm, the Attorney-General’s decision was informed by extensive police investigations and medical evidence, which established that the deceased died from natural causes. An autopsy conducted on August 21, 2024, by the Chief Pathologist at the State General Hospital Mortuary, Ota, and supported by subsequent medical reports, concluded that Ms. Olayinka died on April 19, 2024, from severe malnutrition and respiratory failure resulting from pulmonary tuberculosis. The medical findings reportedly ruled out allegations that the deceased was poisoned or administered any harmful substance.
No Evidence of Wrongdoing
The statement further disclosed that investigators found no credible evidence linking either Adeyinka or Ashimiyu to any act capable of causing or accelerating the deceased’s death. It also stated that there was no factual basis for the conspiracy allegation levelled against the pair. According to the solicitors, Chief Adeyinka, a United Kingdom-based philanthropist and founder of a humanitarian foundation, never met the deceased personally. Her only connection to the matter was through financial and material assistance provided to the deceased’s family by her foundation.
The firm added that Ashimiyu, the deceased’s husband, sought medical treatment for his wife throughout her illness and also received support from the foundation for rent, household expenses and family upkeep. Police investigations reportedly traced the origin of the allegations to disagreements among individuals and organisations involved in the care of the deceased and her twin children, rather than to any criminal conduct by the two defendants.
Vindication and Call for Restraint
Reacting to the outcome, Yakubu Eleto Chambers described the Attorney-General’s decision as a “complete and unequivocal vindication” of its clients after more than two years of public scrutiny and damaging allegations. The firm urged members of the public, media organisations, bloggers and social media commentators to refrain from circulating what it described as false, misleading or defamatory claims concerning the two individuals.
While expressing appreciation to those who upheld the principles of due process and fairness throughout the case, the solicitors stated that their clients reserve the right to pursue legal action against any person or organisation responsible for defamatory publications arising from the matter. The law firm maintained that the outcome represented not merely a decision not to prosecute but a complete affirmation of the innocence of both Chief Adeyinka and Mr. Ashimiyu.
