Ogun Attorney-General Stops Prosecution, Clears Dorcas Adeyinka, Suraju Ashimiyu Over Woman’s Death

The Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State has declined to prosecute Chief (Mrs.) Dorcas Adeyinka and Mr. Suraju Ashimiyu over allegations surrounding the death of Ms. Folunsho Olayinka, effectively bringing the criminal case against them to an end.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Yakubu Eleto Chambers, solicitors to the two defendants, who described the decision as a “complete and unequivocal vindication” of their clients.

According to the law firm, the Nigerian Police had filed a two-count charge against Chief Adeyinka and Ashimiyu on October 8, 2025, in Charge No. AB/46C/2025, accusing them of conspiracy contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code and acceleration of death contrary to Section 311 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State.

However, as required by law for offences triable before the High Court, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General for legal advice before arraignment.

The statement said that after an independent review of the Police Investigation Report dated May 12, 2025, witness statements, exhibits and forensic findings, the Attorney-General declined to commence prosecution against either of the defendants.

It added that, following the legal advice, the charges against the two individuals were formally discharged and dismissed.

The solicitors further stated that the decision was based on medical and scientific evidence contained in an official autopsy conducted on August 21, 2024, by Dr. A.O. Oluntunde, Chief Pathologist at the State General Hospital Mortuary, Ota, and corroborated by medical reports dated August 30, 2024.

According to the statement, the autopsy concluded that Ms. Olayinka died on April 19, 2024, from severe malnutrition and respiratory failure arising from pulmonary tuberculosis.

The law firm maintained that the medical findings ruled out allegations that the deceased died from poisoning, the administration of any unknown substance or any other unlawful act.

It also stated that investigators found no credible evidence linking either Chief Adeyinka or Ashimiyu to any act capable of causing or accelerating the deceased’s death and found no factual basis for the alleged conspiracy.

The statement noted that Chief Adeyinka, a United Kingdom-based philanthropist and founder of a humanitarian foundation, had never met the deceased personally, explaining that her foundation’s only involvement was providing financial and material assistance to the family through its programme manager.

It added that Ashimiyu, the deceased’s husband, had taken his late wife to hospital for treatment and had also received support from the foundation to cover rent, utility bills and household expenses.

According to the solicitors, police investigations traced the origin of the allegations to disputes among individuals and organisations involved in the care of the deceased and her twin children rather than to any criminal conduct by their clients.

The chambers urged members of the public, media organisations, bloggers and online commentators to refrain from circulating what it described as false or defamatory information concerning the two individuals.

While expressing appreciation to those who upheld the principles of fairness and due process throughout the matter, the solicitors said their clients reserved the right to seek legal redress against any defamatory publications or malicious falsehoods that may have damaged their reputations.

"In view of these findings, we respectfully call on members of the public, the media, bloggers, and online commentators to desist from further circulating false, misleading, or defamatory statements concerning our clients. 

"The rule of law requires that the conclusions reached by competent investigative and prosecutorial authorities, after rigorous and thorough examination of the facts, be respected.

"While our clients wish to move forward with dignity and peace, they reserve all rights available to them under the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pursue redress in respect of any defamatory publication, malicious falsehood, or reputational injury already occasioned, or that may yet be occasioned, against them.

"This is not merely a decision not to prosecute; it is a complete affirmation of our clients' innocence. We thank all who remained committed to the principles of fairness, due process, and the rule of law throughout this matter," the statement read.