The family of a 46-year-old Ondo businessman, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has called for an investigation into his death after he reportedly ingested a poisonous substance at his office in Igba, Ondo State.
Akinbolusere, who owned Esther Estate, reportedly died on Thursday. A video recorded shortly before his death later circulated on social media, showing him discussing his personal struggles and declaring that he was leaving his properties to his wife, Esther, and their three children, who are based in Canada.
In the video, the businessman said he was making the decision voluntarily and that nobody had pressured him. He also praised his wife for supporting him when he was struggling to establish his business.
However, his uncle, Femi Akinbolusere, expressed suspicion over the circumstances surrounding the recording, suggesting that the businessman might have been forced to make the video.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the uncle questioned the deceased’s repeated use of the word “surrender” while discussing his properties and urged security operatives to investigate whether anyone had influenced or coerced him.
He also called for an autopsy and urged the police to question the deceased’s wife as part of their investigation.
However, the Ondo State Police Command said preliminary findings had not revealed signs of foul play.
In a statement issued on Friday, the police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said Akinbolusere was found dead in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station, Igba, at about 3pm on Thursday.
According to the police, operatives attached to the Bolorunduro Division visited the scene after receiving information about the incident and recovered two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide from a nearby bush.
The police also confirmed that the deceased had allegedly recorded a video before his death in which he spoke about his personal struggles.
His remains were subsequently taken to the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination. The command said no visible marks of violence were observed on his body during the preliminary examination.
The police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death were ongoing.