Family of Murder Victim Urges Ogun Governor to Deny Pardon

The family of Bamidele Adeyemi, who was murdered in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 2020, has formally appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to reject a pardon request for Ajayi Olayinka, currently serving a life sentence for the crime. The petition, signed by Bamidele's sister, Oluwayemisi Adesanya, was submitted on September 25, 2026.

Bamidele, a father of two, was killed during the COVID-19 lockdown after he refused to unlawfully reopen a community security gate. Olayinka and his accomplices attacked him with broken bottles and knives.

Both Olayinka and co-defendant Abayomi Oguntayo were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 after a plea bargain reduced their charges from murder to voluntary manslaughter. In a letter dated February 21, 2025, Olayinka's counsel requested a state pardon, arguing the killing was not premeditated.

The Adeyemi family expressed outrage at this request, stating it misrepresents the facts and disrespects Bamidele's memory.