The Lagos State High Court has stepped in to manage the estate of the late billionaire industrialist, Chief Labode Oladimeji Akindele, amidst a contentious family dispute regarding the validity of his will. The court has ordered that the estate be placed under the administration of the Administrator-General of Lagos State while the legal battle unfolds.

This ruling follows the dismissal of an application that sought to strike out the claimant’s suit, marking a significant move in the ongoing legal proceedings. The estate, which includes substantial assets both in Nigeria and abroad, has been the subject of fierce contention among family members, particularly concerning the legitimacy of a purported will.

The case, designated as Suit No. LD/10/2020, is being presided over by Justice Tanimola Ajorin-Ajose. The claimant, Oladipo Alade Akindele, identifies himself as the first son and seventh biological child of the deceased. He is challenging the foundation of the estate's administration, seeking a court declaration that the alleged will is invalid. His claims are based on alleged irregularities in the will’s execution, the absence of a referenced Family Protocol, and questions surrounding changes made to the execution date.

Oladipo Akindele asserts that the will fails to adequately identify key assets, including properties in the United Kingdom and a family residence in Spain known as the 'Nigerian House.' He argues that the Family Protocol is crucial for the will's implementation, but upon reviewing the original document at the Probate Registry, he found it was not attached, rendering the will incomplete.

The defendants, including notable figures such as fashion designer Folake Coker, have countered these claims. They maintain that the Family Protocol, referred to as the “Sir (Chief) Olabode Oladimeji Akindele Family Constitution,” was properly executed by the deceased and several family members between October and November 2018. They argue that the absence of the document’s physical attachment does not invalidate the will.

The court’s recent decision to place the estate under the control of the Administrator-General is a pivotal development, especially as the litigation extends beyond Nigeria's borders. The estate is believed to encompass a wide array of business interests established by Chief Akindele, whose ventures included maritime services, finance, real estate, and international investments through various companies.

Chief Akindele, who passed away at the age of 88 on June 29, 2020, was recognized as one of Nigeria’s leading industrialists. The trial commenced on July 3, 2026, but the court is still expecting substantial documentary and oral evidence to be presented. The matter has been adjourned until September 28, October 7, and October 8, 2026, for further hearings, as the family continues to navigate this complex legal landscape.