Christy Akingboye, widow of Bamidele Akingboye, a businessman and former Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in the November 2024 Ondo State election, has denied allegations that she was involved in her husband’s death.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Monday, Mrs Akingboye said the claims were false and targeted at her and her children.
She said her husband had a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with bipolar manic disorder in 2019.
According to her, the condition led to episodes of mania, suicidal behaviour and other actions that affected the family.
She said the family handled the illness privately to protect him and avoid public attention.
Akingboye cited incidents to support her account, including one in 2019 when their daughter stopped him from jumping from a balcony.
She also said there was an episode in Dubai where he was taken by police to a psychiatric facility.
She stated that political pressure, financial obligations and lack of rest affected his condition.
“He was my friend. I didn’t just lose a husband, I lost my better half,” she said.
She disclosed that her late husband was in debt and that the financial situation contributed to his health challenges.
Akingboye said she initially chose not to speak publicly due to the stigma around mental illness and suicide.
“In our society, suicide is something people weaponise. I didn’t want my husband remembered that way,” she said.
She accused her stepson, Samuel Akingboye, of circulating altered images and alleging that she caused her husband’s death.
According to her, the original mortuary photographs showed no injuries, adding that images used to suggest foul play were generated digitally.
She also criticised the initial police investigation, saying proper procedures were not followed.
She alleged that investigators did not examine the room, seal the scene or review medical records before summoning her and her children.
“The family was detained for three days after the incident,” she said.
She stated that she had petitioned higher authorities, which led to the reassignment of the case.
She said the new team reviewed the property, including the room, balcony and surrounding buildings.
Akingboye said footage from a second CCTV camera was overwritten due to delays by the first investigative team.
She expressed concern over repeated police invitations and attempts to sustain a murder narrative without forensic findings.
She also recounted a visit to Panti Police Station where she and her children were escorted despite being told they would not be detained.
She questioned why her stepson continued to visit the station after the case had been transferred.
“He has been going to Panti every day. What is he doing there?” she asked.
Akingboye said she was confident that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions would review the case once police submissions were made.
“My hands are clean. God knows the truth. I have nothing to hide,” she said.
She urged authorities to examine her husband’s medical history and allow the investigation to follow due process.
“I didn’t kill my husband. I loved him and stood by him through everything. I only want the truth to prevail,” she said.
