The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned HygeiaHMO’s Sales Head, Abiola Adams-Odutayo, in connection with the death of 32-year-old Adetunji Opayele (Teejay), co-founder of the tech startup Bumpa.
On March 4, 2025, Opayele was riding his power bike along Ozumba Mbadiwe in Victoria Island, Lagos, on his way back from a workout. Eyewitnesses reported that Adams-Odutayo, driving a car with the license plate LND 418 JR, allegedly merged onto the motorway without regard for oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision. Teejay sustained serious injuries, but Adams-Odutayo reportedly declined to assist, fearing blood stains on her vehicle. Witnesses struggled to find medical assistance as multiple hospitals allegedly refused treatment, and Opayele later succumbed to his injuries.
Teejay was seriously wounded in the collision, but the driver, Abiola Adams-Odutayo, allegedly declined to assist the victim because she was worried about having blood stains on her vehicle. Due to multiple hospitals allegedly refusing treatment, bystanders had difficulty finding medical assistance, and Teejay died in the process.
Read also: Bumpa Co-founder and CTO, Adetunji Opayele, dies in ghastly accident
Odutayo charged with reckless driving
Adams-Odutayo was charged with reckless driving, leading to Opayele’s death. She was arraigned on March 12, 2025, at Court 1, Tinubu, as announced by Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement posted on X.
The statement read, “We #LagosPoliceNG acknowledge public concerns regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adetunji Opayele (Teejay) on March 4, 2025. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who have been affected by this loss.”
“We can confirm that following a thorough investigation, Abiola Odutayo ‘f’ was arraigned in Court 1, Tinubu on March 12, 2025, after she was discharged from hospital, for driving on a ‘public highway in a reckless and careless manner without due care and attention to other road users and caus[ing] the death of one Tunji Opayele ‘m’ aged 32 and thereby committed an offence…”
“The court granted her bail and adjourned the case until April 16, 2025. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to transparency, fairness, and justice.”
Odutayo pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her and was granted bail of N1 million with two sureties, which she promptly paid. The case was adjourned until April 16, 2025.
The court’s charge sheet
The prosecutor claimed that Odutayo had broken sections 50(1) and 52 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2018, in the charge sheet LA/301/2025 that was brought before Magistrate M.E. Owumi of the Tinubu Magistrate Court.
The charge sheet reads, “That you, Abiola Odutayo ‘F’, on March 4, 2025, at approximately 10:20 PM, at the entrance gate traffic light junction, 1004 Housing Estate, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, drove a Ford Edge Jeep (Registration No. LND 418 JR) in a reckless and inconsiderate manner, showing no regard for other road users, thus committing an offence under Section 50(1) of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2018.
“While in control of the Ford Edge Jeep, you drove the vehicle recklessly and carelessly, resulting in the death of one Adetunji Opayele, aged 32, thereby committing an offence under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2018.”
Read also: NiDCOM calls for investigation into the mysterious death of Nigerian TikToker in Kenya
Petition calling to be charged with manslaughter
More than 63,000 Nigerians have signed a petition on Change.org calling for justice, and many of them want more serious charges—like manslaughter—instead of the reckless driving charge at the time of this report.
According to the petition detailing Opayele’s death, several hospitals allegedly refused to treat TeeJay Opayele, and in the early morning hours of March 5, he was declared dead after being taken by witnesses to a medical facility.
Additionally, petitioners have called on the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to supervise a comprehensive investigation and guarantee appropriate prosecution.
Opayele, known for his contributions to Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and his work at Bumpa, which equips small businesses with digital tools, is remembered for his impact on the industry.
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