The Nigerian Police, Lagos State Command, have formally charged Abiola Odutayo with reckless and careless driving in connection with the tragic death of Adetunji Opayele, co-founder of the Nigerian tech startup Bumpa.
The incident occurred on March 4, 2025, at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, claiming the life of the 32-year-old entrepreneur. According to the charge sheet LA/301/2025, presented before Magistrate M.E. Owumi at the Tinubu Magistrate Court, Odutayo is accused of violating Sections 50(1) and 52 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2018.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, made the details of the case public through social media platform X. The official complaint alleges that Odutayo, driving a Ford Edge Jeep with the registration number LND 418 JR, drove “inconsiderably” and “without due care and attention” on the public road, leading to the fatal collision. The prosecutor emphasized that her reckless driving resulted in the tragic loss of Opayele’s life.
Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
During the court hearing, Odutayo pleaded not guilty to the charges, and bail was granted in the sum of N1 million, contingent upon providing two sureties. The case has been adjourned until April 16, 2025.
The incident has sparked widespread public outcry across Nigeria, with over 63,000 people signing a petition on Change.org calling for the accused to face manslaughter charges instead. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over what they view as a lack of accountability.
CSP Hundeyin responded to public concerns via X, stating: “We @LagosPoliceNG acknowledge public concerns regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adetunji Opayele (Teejay) on March 4, 2025. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who have been affected by this loss. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to transparency, fairness, and justice.”
What You Should Know
Adetunji Opayele, along with Kelvin Umechukwu, co-founded Bumpa in 2021 with the mission of helping Nigerian entrepreneurs streamline business operations. The platform offers tools for inventory management, payments, business analytics, website creation, invoice generation, and sales tracking.
In 2022, Bumpa secured a $4 million seed funding round led by Base10 Partners, which was earmarked for workforce expansion, strengthening operational structures, and scaling services across additional African markets.
Opayele’s untimely death represents a significant loss to Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem. He was widely admired for his dedication to innovation and his passion for supporting small businesses. Tributes have poured in from friends, colleagues, and admirers, all of whom continue to honor his legacy and his mission of empowering entrepreneurs.
