Ogun AG Drops Charges Against Dorcas Adeyinka, Suraju Ashimiyu as Investigation Confirms Death from Natural Causes

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

 The Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State, has declined to prosecute Chief (Mrs.) Dorcas Adeyinka and Mr. Suraju Ashimiyu over the death of Ms. Folunsho Olayinka, leading to the formal discharge and dismissal of all criminal charges against them.

The development followed a comprehensive review of the police investigation report, witness statements, exhibits, forensic findings, and medical evidence relating to the case.

The duo had been charged by the Nigeria Police in Charge No. AB/46C/2025, dated October 8, 2025, with conspiracy under Section 516 of the Criminal Code and acceleration of death under Section 311 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State.

However, as required for offences triable before the High Court, the case file was forwarded to the Ogun State Attorney-General for legal advice before arraignment. After an independent assessment of the evidence, the Attorney-General concluded that there was no basis to proceed with prosecution.

According to legal representatives of the defendants, Yakubu Eleto Chambers, the decision was based largely on medical and scientific findings that established the true cause of Ms. Olayinka's death.

An official autopsy conducted on August 21, 2024, by Dr. A.O. Oluntunde, Chief Pathologist at the State General Hospital Mortuary, Ota, and supported by subsequent medical reports dated August 30, 2024, determined that the deceased died on April 19, 2024, from severe malnutrition and respiratory failure caused by pulmonary tuberculosis.

The findings reportedly ruled out allegations that her death resulted from poisoning, the administration of any unknown substance, or any unlawful act.

Investigators also found no credible evidence linking either Chief Adeyinka or Mr. Ashimiyu to any action capable of causing or accelerating the deceased's death. The alleged conspiracy charge was similarly found to be unsupported by evidence.

Police investigations further revealed that Chief Adeyinka, a United Kingdom-based philanthropist and founder of a humanitarian foundation, had never met the deceased personally. Her involvement was limited to providing financial and material assistance to the family through her foundation's programme manager.

Mr. Ashimiyu, the deceased's husband, was found to have actively sought medical treatment for his late wife during her illness and had also received support from the foundation for rent, household bills, and family welfare.

According to the investigation, the allegations stemmed from disputes among individuals and organisations involved in the care of the deceased and her twin children rather than from any criminal conduct by the accused persons.

Reacting to the outcome, Yakubu Eleto Chambers described the Attorney-General's decision as a "complete and unequivocal vindication" of its clients, noting that both had endured more than two years of public scrutiny and reputational damage arising from allegations now dismissed by investigative and prosecutorial authorities.

The law firm urged members of the public, media organisations, bloggers, and online commentators to refrain from circulating false or defamatory claims concerning its clients, stressing that the conclusions reached by competent authorities should be respected.

While expressing a desire to move forward, the firm stated that its clients reserve the right to seek legal redress against any individual or organisation responsible for defamatory publications or malicious falsehoods that may have harmed their reputations.

"This is not merely a decision not to prosecute; it is a complete affirmation of our clients' innocence," the statement said.