The Lagos State Police Command has responded to the outrage that followed the death of Adetunji ‘TeeJay’ Opayele, the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nigerian retail automation startup, Bumpa.  

TeeJay died on March 5, 2025, after being involved in a car accident. According to a recently circulated petition directed at the Lagos State government and justice department, the 32-year-old software engineer was returning from the gym on his power bike at about 10: 20 PM on March 4 along Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, before he was hit by a certain Biola Adams-Odutayo.

“He had the right of way when Miss Biola Adams-Odutayo, driving a vehicle with license number LND 418 JR, merged onto the expressway without considering approaching traffic, thereby crashing into him,” the petition, which has so far gathered over 65,000 signatures in less than 48 hours on change.org, read in parts.

The actions of Biola, a healthcare professional and Head of Health at a reputable insurance brokering firm, allegedly worsened TeeJay’s condition and ultimately led to his untimely death.

According to bystanders’ comments noted in the petition, Biola refused to alight from her car to check on the victim or call for medical attention despite their pleas. When approached, her friend, who was following her in another car, relayed Biola’s shocking response: “She doesn’t want blood to stain her car.”

After the back and forth, some bystanders eventually rose to the task of taking TeeJay to a hospital. But after being refused admission at two hospitals, the third that accepted him couldn’t do much, as he was pronounced dead in the early hours of March 5.

It was further alleged that Miss Biola Adams-Odutayo who reluctantly went to the hospital after being prevented from leaving by some bystanders, requested medical attention for herself, claiming to be in shock, before attempting to escape.

Though she was eventually arrested, the petition claimed that she was boastful of her connections, which reportedly played a role in her being charged only with reckless driving and subsequently granted bail at N1 million after ending the life of a promising tech leader who was in full safety gear and had the right of way.

The outrage sparked by the petition and social media pressure prompted a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on March 29.

Hundeyin acknowledged public concerns over the tragic incident that claimed Opayele’s life while confirming the arrest and subsequent arraignment of Biola Adams-Odutayo. He also affirmed that she had made bail, adding that the case had been adjourned till April 16, 2025.

Hundeyin further shared the charge sheet against Biola while assuring the force’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and justice.

However, it remains to be seen if the case will move beyond the initial traffic violation charge to a manslaughter charge, as the petition has demanded.