Police in Ondo State have arrested Alex Ikuesan, son of the Olubo of Obenla Kingdom, Oba Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan, in connection with the death of Prince Engineer Ojogo Malo. Malo was found dead on October 3, 2026, after a series of confrontations, threats, and disputes allegedly linked to financial transactions between him and Ikuesan. Ikuesan, who is also related to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was reportedly arrested by the police at the Okitipupa Divisional Police Station and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ondo for further investigation.
The family of Malo alleged that Ikuesan had previously taken some men to Malo's residence and that Malo expressed fears for his life shortly before he was found dead. A family member and a lawyer who separately spoke to SaharaReporters said the dispute involved several transactions, including an alleged N14 million payment, a N12 million loan claim, and another N6.2 million debt allegedly connected to petroleum products supplied on credit. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, leading to Malo's death.
Wale Odusola, a lawyer who had attempted to mediate the financial disagreement between Ikuesan and Malo, said both men were like younger brothers to him. He said Ikuesan initially contacted him over money he claimed Malo owed him, prompting him to invite both men to his office for settlement. However, the meeting was disrupted by Ikuesan, leading to an altercation. Odusola said the meeting established that Malo did not personally owe Ikuesan the money being demanded.
Barrister Francis Malo, the brother of the deceased, gave a separate account of the events leading to his brother's death. He said Ikuesan had complained that Malo had stopped answering his calls for about three months. Francis said he became involved after someone reported Malo to him, prompting him to ask his brother to call Ikuesan in his presence. According to Francis, Ikuesan arrived at his hotel shortly after the call and claimed that Malo had allowed him to use a filling station belonging to the family.
Francis said Malo also gave Ikuesan N14 million to support his business, which was later recovered. However, other financial disagreements remained between the two men. Ikuesan claimed that Malo owed him N6.2 million because his manager had sold petroleum products on credit. Francis challenged the basis of the claim, particularly because Malo had allegedly not personally received the money. He also said Ikuesan became confrontational during their discussion and threatened his brother.
Francis mentioned an oil dealer, Tosin Ogono, who had supplied petroleum products to the filling station. According to Francis, Ogono confirmed that Ikuesan had been operating from Malo's filling station and that Malo later paid for petroleum products supplied there. Francis said Ogono told him that after Malo withdrew the N14 million, Ikuesan no longer had sufficient funds to continue operating the business.
The arrest of Ikuesan has raised concerns about the prevalence of violent disputes over financial transactions in Ondo State. Key issues in the case include a disputed N14 million payment, a N12 million loan claim, and a N6.2 million debt allegedly connected to petroleum products. The investigation is ongoing, and Ikuesan's relation to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has sparked interest in the case.
Key points
- Alex Ikuesan was arrested over the alleged killing of Engineer Ojogo Malo
- The dispute involved several financial transactions, including N14 million, N12 million, and N6.2 million
- Ikuesan is related to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
