BREAKING: ONDO POLICE ARREST MONARCH’S SON, GOV AIYEDATIWA’S RELATIVE OVER ALLEGED KILLING OF ENGINEER OJOGO MALO

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Alex Ikuesan, son of the Olubo of Obenla Kingdom, Oba Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan, over the death of Prince Engineer Ojogo Malo following an alleged financial dispute involving millions of naira.

Ikuesan, who is also related to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was reportedly arrested at the Okitipupa Divisional Police Station before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ondo for further investigation.

Malo was found dead on October 3, 2026, after a series of disagreements and alleged confrontations between him and Ikuesan over financial transactions.

According to accounts provided by a family member and a lawyer who attempted to mediate the dispute, the disagreements involved several financial claims, including an alleged N14 million transaction, a N12 million loan claim and a separate N6.2 million debt allegedly connected to petroleum products supplied on credit.

Wale Odusola, a lawyer who attempted to mediate between the two men, said Ikuesan initially approached him claiming that Malo owed him money. He subsequently invited both men to his office in an attempt to resolve the disagreement.

Odusola said the mediation became heated after Malo attempted to show evidence on his phone concerning a N12 million transfer allegedly made to Ikuesan. According to the lawyer, an altercation followed, disrupting the meeting.

The lawyer said the mediation nevertheless established that Malo did not personally owe Ikuesan the money being demanded. He explained that the N6.2 million claim was allegedly connected to customers who had purchased petroleum products from Ikuesan’s manager on credit, with Malo having stood for the debtors.

Odusola said Malo also claimed that he had previously given Ikuesan a N12 million soft loan, of which N10 million had allegedly been repaid, leaving a balance of N2 million. Ikuesan reportedly disputed the claim.

Malo’s brother, Barrister Francis Malo, separately alleged that Ikuesan had acknowledged receiving N14 million from Malo to support his business. Francis said Malo later recovered that money, but disagreements continued over the alleged N6.2 million petroleum-related debt.

Francis also alleged that Ikuesan became confrontational during discussions over the disputed debt and that threats were made against his brother.

He further claimed that a meeting was held on October 2 at the office of lawyers involved in the mediation. According to Francis, Malo later informed family members that the meeting had again become contentious.

The family alleged that after the meeting, some men visited Malo’s residence and that Malo subsequently contacted relatives and a lawyer, expressing fears for his safety.

Francis said Malo left his residence early on October 3 and was later found dead on the road. He also alleged that two unfamiliar men had been seen around Malo’s residence before his death.

The family has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Malo’s death and urged security agencies to ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice.

Francis confirmed that Ikuesan had been arrested and transferred to the Ondo State CID, where members of the Malo family were also present as they sought information about the investigation.

He further alleged that Ikuesan had acknowledged visiting Malo’s residence, although the full circumstances of that visit and its connection, if any, to Malo’s death remain subject to police investigation.

The police had not publicly announced any charge against Ikuesan as of the time of the report. The command has also not publicly established the cause of Malo’s death or disclosed the findings of its investigation.

The relationship between Ikuesan’s family and Governor Aiyedatiwa has also drawn attention to the case. Francis confirmed that Ikuesan’s father, Oba Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan, is related to the Ondo State governor. However, there is no indication from the available report that the governor was involved in the alleged dispute or in the circumstances surrounding Malo’s death.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Ikuesan have not been established by a court. Any determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.

The family is demanding justice for Engineer Ojogo Malo as authorities continue investigating the financial dispute, the events preceding his death and the circumstances in which his body was discovered on October 3.