According to a writ of summons obtained by PUNCH Online on Saturday, Kemi Alao-Akala and her co-defendant are required to respond to a suit (number 1/443/2023) filed over the alleged illegal acquisition of a letter of administration concerning the estate of her late husband, Adebayo Alao-Akala, without the consent of the claimant......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The court issued the order while granting an ex-parte motion for substituted service brought by Dipo Olasope, SAN, representing the claimant, Toyin Alao-Aderinto. The suit accuses Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi of mismanaging the estate of the late Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The writ stated, “You are hereby commanded that within 30 days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of this service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in action at the instance of the claimant.”
The case, marked I/443/2024, challenges the actions of Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, who are accused of unlawfully obtaining a letter of administration from the state High Court on October 6, 2022. They are also accused of mismanaging the deceased’s assets and excluding the claimant from benefiting from the distribution of the estate.
Toyin Alao-Aderinto, the first daughter of the deceased, is seeking a court declaration that the letter of administration obtained by Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi is illegal, null, and void. She also seeks an order restraining the defendants from selling or disposing of any assets belonging to her father’s estate.
On August 16, 2023, a letter from Dipo Olasope, SAN, addressed to Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, stated that the letter of administration was obtained illegally, excluding Toyin, who by law should be one of the administrators unless she declines to act.
The letter further indicated that Toyin has been sidelined in the administration of the estate, while Kemi and Olamide, along with two other siblings, including Olamiju Alao-Akala, a current House of Representatives member, are working together to manage the estate, disenfranchising other legitimate children of Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The defendants are accused of processing the letter of administration without Toyin’s consent and dealing with the deceased’s assets illegally. A 21-day notice was issued to them to amend the letter of administration to include Toyin, followed by another seven-day notice as required by law before the claimant sought legal redress in court.
As the first biological daughter of Adebayo Alao-Akala, Toyin asserts her entitlement to inherit an equal share (if not more) of her father’s estate, who died intestate on January 12, 2022. The claimant seeks a declaration that the defendants have no right to deny her legitimate rights and interests in the estate, and that the letter of administration granted to them was fraudulently and illegally obtained, making it null and void.