Consequently, friends and family of the deceased are calling on President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to prosecute one Ms Biola Adams-Odutayo, who was charged for traffic contravention instead of manslaughter by the Police.
Opayele was allegedly killed by Ms Adams-Odutayo, who was said to be driving against traffic on March 4, when Teejay was biking his way home from a gym in Victoria Island, Lagos, at about 10:20 p.m.
Opaleye became the second top personality riding a bicycle to have been murdered by reckless motorists after co-founder and Deputy Managing Director of VETIVA, one of Nigeria’s leading Capital Management firms, Olaolu Mudashiru was killed while riding a bicycle in Lagos in 2022.
It was alleged that Ms Adams-Odutayo and her friend had just left a restaurant by the expressway where they had dinner and smashed Teejay into unconsciousness.
An account of events that led to the death of Opaleye has raised concerns about the management of the incident and the culpability of the driver.
Adams-Odutayo was said to have been released almost immediately.
According to the court document sighted by The Guardian, a sum of N1 million and two sureties was set as the bail for Adams-Odutayo, which she met immediately.
The count reads: “That you Abiola Odutayo on March 4, 2025, at 1004 Housing Estate entrance gate traffic light junction along Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, being the driver in charge of one Ford Edge Jeep with Registration No. LND 418 JR drove the same on the public highway in an inconsiderable manner without due care and attention to other persons) using the highway and thereby committed an offence under Section 50(1) of Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2018.
“That you, Ablola Odutayo, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of one Ford Edge Jeep with Registration No. LND 418 JR drove the same in the public highway recklessly and carelessly without due care and attention to other road users and caused the death of one Tunji Opaleye, aged 32 years, and thereby committed an offence under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2018.
The family demanded proof that Adams-Odutayo was still in Lagos State as she was, on Monday, March 17, 2025, summoned to the police station and failed to show up.
They demanded that Adams-Odutayo must be properly charged with manslaughter, not just a lesser offence of reckless driving.
Reacting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh urged Nigerians to allow the judicial process to be exhausted over the murder of Teejay.
He, on behalf of the entire officers and personnel of the command, commiserated with the family and loved ones of Mr Tunji Opayele over the unfortunate accident that led to his untimely death.
The Command said: “It is while in this sad mood that the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public both home and abroad that the defendant in the case of this fatal accident, Abiola Odutayo ‘f’, after the conclusion of a discreet and thorough investigation into the case, was properly charged to a court of competent jurisdiction on a two-count charge bordering on the death of the deceased.
“It is a statutory procedure that police actions terminate when cases are charged to court.
“Lagosians and members of the public are implored to allow the court processes and proceedings to be fully exhausted in accordance with the laws of the land.
“Everyone is enjoined to allow justice to be served in this matter.”
