Sign the Petition Trends As Lagos Woman Killed Startup Founder in Hit-and-run Incident
Opayele was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by Biola Adams-Odutayo, a well-connected member of the Lagos elite, in what has been described as a reckless and preventable accident.
The hashtag “#SignThePetition” has gained significant traction following the tragic death of Adetunji “Teejay” Opayele, a prominent technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Bumpa. Opayele was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by Biola Adams-Odutayo, a well-connected member of the Lagos elite, in what has been described as a reckless and preventable accident.
The Incident
On the evening of March 4, 2025, Opayele was cycling home from a gym in Victoria Island, Lagos, when he was hit by a vehicle on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue. Reports confirm that Opayele was cycling within his designated lane when Adams-Odutayo, driving a vehicle with license plate LND 418 JR, suddenly appeared on the expressway without yielding to oncoming traffic, resulting in a violent collision.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Opayele, though equipped with full safety gear, was rendered unconscious on impact and lay critically injured on the road. Instead of stepping out to check on him, Adams-Odutayo allegedly remained in her vehicle, engaged in a phone call for over 30 minutes, while bystanders pleaded with her to assist the victim. According to witnesses, when they approached her friend for help, they were told, “She doesn’t want blood to stain her car.”
Delayed Medical Response and Fatal Consequences
Despite desperate attempts by passersby to transport Opayele to a medical facility, multiple hospitals reportedly refused to admit him. Eventually, he was taken in a minibus to a hospital, with Adams-Odutayo forcibly made to accompany the group in hopes of ensuring proper medical attention. However, by the time he arrived, Opayele was declared dead.
Adding to the outrage, reports indicate that upon reaching the hospital, Adams-Odutayo requested medical attention for herself, claiming she was in shock, before allegedly attempting to flee the premises.
Legal Fallout and Public Outrage
Following the incident, Adams-Odutayo was taken into custody but was quickly released. Despite the grave nature of the case, she was only charged with a traffic violation rather than manslaughter. Reports suggest that she and her family leveraged their influence to downplay the severity of the incident. She was granted bail of one million naira on the same day and has reportedly resumed her normal activities, further fueling public anger.
The Lagos State Police initially summoned Adams-Odutayo for questioning on March 17; however, she failed to appear. This, coupled with unverified reports that she may have left the country, has heightened demands for accountability.
The Call for Justice
In response to the perceived miscarriage of justice, a petition on Change.org has garnered over 13,000 signatures at press time. The petitioners demand that Adams-Odutayo be charged appropriately with manslaughter and call for proof of her presence in Lagos State. The campaign, amplified by social media activists and justice advocates, highlights systemic issues within the Nigerian legal system, where wealth and influence often undermine due process.
Friends, family, and colleagues of Opayele continue to mourn the loss of a promising young entrepreneur who had significantly impacted the Nigerian startup ecosystem. Opayele, a seasoned technology leader, had successfully secured $4 million in international funding for Bumpa and previously founded HostCabal, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
As public outcry intensifies, pressure mounts on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to re-examine the case and ensure that justice is served. Activists and supporters urge the authorities to prevent this from becoming yet another instance where the privileged evade accountability.
The tragic death of Adetunji Opayele serves as a grim reminder of the deep-seated inequalities in the Nigerian justice system. The movement calling for justice is not just about one individual but about ensuring that no life is deemed expendable in the face of power and privilege.
Read Also:Â Unhygienic Environment and Power Outages Stall Effectiveness of Ogun Rural Community’s General Hospital
Jimoh Taofik
Taofik is a Mass Communication lecturer, trained journalist, freelancer, editor, researcher, corporate communications and public relations expert. He has Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State and currently a Bsc student in the same discipline at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State. Taofik teaches Mass Communication at the Polytechnic, Ojoku, Kwara State. He is a guest-contributor for PIJAlance Magazine.