The Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has declined to prosecute Chief (Mrs.) Dorcas Adeyinka and Mr. Suraju Ashimiyu over allegations relating to the death of Ms. Folunsho Olayinka, effectively bringing the criminal case against them to an end.
The development followed a review of the police investigation report, witness statements, exhibits and medical findings submitted to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Yakubu Eleto Chambers, solicitors to the two defendants, the Attorney-General found no basis to commence prosecution against either of them and consequently discharged and dismissed the charges.
The case, filed as Charge No. AB/46C/2025, had accused Adeyinka and Ashimiyu of conspiracy and acceleration of death under the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State.
However, the law firm disclosed that the Attorney-General's decision was based on findings from an extensive police investigation and medical evidence which established that the deceased died from natural causes.
An autopsy reportedly 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 report, according to the solicitors, ruled out allegations that the deceased was poisoned or administered any harmful substance.
The statement further noted that investigators found no credible evidence linking either Adeyinka or Ashimiyu to any act capable of causing or accelerating the death of the deceased.
It added that there was also no factual basis for the allegation of conspiracy levelled against the defendants.
According to the statement, 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 law firm also stated that Ashimiyu, the deceased's husband, had taken his late wife for medical treatment during her illness and had equally benefited from support provided by the foundation for rent, household bills and family upkeep.
The police investigation 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.
Reacting to the development, 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 called on 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 seek legal redress 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.
