The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Miss Abiola Adams-Odutayo, the driver accused of causing the tragic death of Adetunji ‘Teejay’ Opayele, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bumpa, a Nigerian retail automation startup. The incident, which occurred on March 4, 2025, has sparked widespread public outcry and demands for justice.
According to CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, Miss Adams-Odutayo was arraigned at Court 1 in Tinubu on March 12, 2025, following her discharge from the hospital and a thorough investigation. She was charged with reckless and careless driving on a public highway without due attention to other road users, which led to the fatal accident. The court granted her bail set at ₦1 million and adjourned the case to April 16, 2025.
In response to public concerns about the case, the Lagos Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the legal process. “We acknowledge public concerns regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adetunji Opayele (Teejay). We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who have been affected by this loss,” CSP Hundeyin stated. The police urged Nigerians to respect the judicial process and allow justice to take its course.
The charges filed against Miss Adams-Odutayo have drawn sharp criticism on social media. Many Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as lenient charges and questioned the granting of bail. A petition titled Justice for Teejay, demanding stricter charges such as manslaughter, has garnered over 65,000 signatures. The petition accuses Miss Adams-Odutayo of negligence during and after the accident. It alleges that she refused to assist Teejay after hitting him and prioritized avoiding blood stains on her car over helping a dying man.
One excerpt from the petition reads: “Biola Adams-Odutayo must be properly charged with manslaughter also, not just a lesser offense of reckless driving.” The petition also calls on law enforcement authorities to ensure due process is followed and that no one is above the law.
Remembering Adetunji ‘Teejay’ Opayele
Adetunji Opayele’s death is a devastating loss for Nigeria’s tech community. Alongside Kelvin Umechukwu, Teejay co-founded Bumpa, a startup dedicated to empowering small businesses through technology. Under his leadership as CTO, Bumpa achieved significant milestones, including raising $4 million in seed funding in 2022 and securing partnerships with Meta platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
Teejay was not only an accomplished software engineer but also a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. To honor his legacy, Bumpa announced plans to develop an AI assistant named Teejay, which will continue to provide business insights and solutions for users, reflecting his innovative spirit.
Kelvin Umechukwu shared his grief over Teejay’s passing. “He wasn’t just a co-founder to me; he was my friend, my brother, my fight partner, and a brilliant engineer. This is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with in life.”
For now, all eyes are on April 16 as the court reconvenes to deliberate further on this matter.
