Adimike death probe sparks legal battle as a widow sues police authorities over the detention of her children and a family friend
Lagos-based widow Lovelyn Adimike, alongside her children Stephanie and Anthony Adimike and family friend Comfort Ajibade, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, and other government officials over the continued detention of three family members in connection with the death of businessman Lucky Adimike.
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The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja through lawyer Chibuzor Obiajunwa, seeks the immediate release of the detainees, protection of their constitutional rights and an order restraining further alleged violations by security agencies.
Also joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and other police authorities.
According to court documents, Mrs Adimike is not in custody, but her son Anthony Adimike, daughter Stephanie Adimike and their friend Comfort Ajibade have remained detained since the discovery of Lucky Adimike’s body on May 15, 2026, at the family’s residence in Abuja.
The applicants alleged that the detainees are being held at the FCT Intelligence Response Team facility in Gudu District, Abuja.
In the suit, the family is asking the court to direct police authorities to stop actions they describe as violations of their rights to personal liberty, dignity, private and family life, freedom of movement, association and equal protection under the law.
They also urged the court to order the police to either charge any suspect before a competent court if sufficient evidence exists or forward the investigation file to the Attorney-General of the Federation for legal review and further action.
As of the time of filing this report, the case had not been assigned to a judge.
The Adimike Death Probe has attracted public attention following conflicting accounts regarding the circumstances surrounding the businessman’s death.
Earlier reports alleged that Anthony Adimike, who is serving in the National Youth Service Corps, stabbed his father during a domestic dispute at the family’s Guzape residence in Abuja.
The reports further stated that police arrested Anthony and other persons as investigations commenced.
However, Mrs Adimike strongly disputed those claims in an affidavit filed before the court.
The widow maintained that her husband was not stabbed but was instead shot dead by unknown assailants using a firearm allegedly fitted with a silencer.
“I believe that contrary to stories being peddled that my husband had been stabbed to death, my husband had been shot dead and the gunshots that killed him were fired from a gun that had been fitted with a silencer,” she stated in the affidavit.
Mrs Adimike recounted that her husband travelled to Abuja on May 11 while she remained in Lagos. According to her account, the businessman stayed at a house in Guzape occupied by their children, Anthony and Stephanie.
She said communication with her husband became difficult on the morning of May 15, prompting her to ask Anthony to check on him.
Anthony allegedly found his father lying lifeless inside his bedroom and subsequently reported the incident to the police.
The widow stated that police officers later transported the body to Karu General Hospital and arrested Anthony. Stephanie and Comfort were subsequently taken into custody as investigations expanded.
A notable aspect of the court filing is Mrs Adimike’s claim that she observed what she described as four gunshot wounds on the deceased’s lower left chest, leading her to reject allegations that her husband died from stab wounds.
She further alleged that her representative was excluded from observing parts of the autopsy procedure conducted at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Mrs Adimike also raised concerns about alleged attempts by unknown individuals to access the family’s Lagos residence and claims relating to her late husband’s properties and liabilities.
The Adimike Death Probe remains under investigation, with police authorities yet to publicly disclose their final findings on the cause of death.
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The court is expected to determine whether the continued detention of the applicants complies with constitutional safeguards as the investigation progresses.
