Ondo–In a distressing turn of events, Mrs. Opeyemi Adegboyega, a grieving widow, has initiated legal proceedings against the Ondo State Government, alleging the unexplained disappearance of her son, Oluwaseun Omoniyi, from the confines of the State Juvenile Home in Akure. The lawsuit also names the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Olubunmi Osadahun, and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, as co-defendants.
Mrs. Adegboyega, who tragically lost her husband a few months ago, has brought forth a compelling case. She revealed that her son, Oluwaseun, was admitted to the juvenile home in 2017 when he was just three months old, while she herself was undergoing medical treatment in a hospital.
During her hospitalization, the State Juvenile Home offered to provide care and custody for her three children to allow her to focus on her treatment. However, she and her mother mutually agreed to leave only her youngest child, Oluwaseun, in the home’s care at that time.
Upon her recovery, about a month later, Mrs. Adegboyega, accompanied by her mother, returned to the juvenile home to reclaim her baby boy. Shockingly, she was informed that her child had perished, and his remains had been transported to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Seeking answers, she visited the state hospital, only to be informed that no records existed of a child’s corpse from the Ondo State Juvenile Home during that period. Her numerous pleas and petitions to various authorities, including Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Department of State Services, have yielded no results.
Mrs. Adegboyega, represented by her legal counsel, Mr. Oju Kekemeke, has filed a lawsuit demanding accountability from the defendants regarding the whereabouts of Oluwaseun Omoniyi, who vanished while under the supervision of the Ondo State Juvenile Home and the Ministry of Women Affairs.
She also seeks substantial compensation, including N50 million as exemplary and aggravated damages, N40 million for the severe pain, anguish, personal loss, and psychological trauma caused by the defendants’ negligence, and an additional N5 million for the cost of the legal action. Furthermore, the claimant requests that a court order 15 percent annual interest on the judgment sum from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
Mr. Kekemeke, the attorney for Mrs. Adegboyega, emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice, stating, “It is regrettable that the system took advantage of Opeyemi Adegboyega’s vulnerable medical condition at the time. Consequently, the system will be held accountable for this blatant breach of public duty.” This legal action represents a crucial step towards obtaining answers and closure for the grieving widow.
