Businessman ‘commits suicide’ in Ondo after recording video on life struggles

Akinbolusere Kayode, a 46-year-old businessman and owner of Esther Estate in Ondo, has reportedly committed suicide after recording a video in which he spoke about his personal and business struggles.

Kayode, popularly known as Tolufe, died on Thursday in his office beside a BOVAS petrol station in Igba town, Ondo state.

In the video, which has since circulated on social media, the businessman announced his decision to bequeath his properties to his wife, Esther, and their three children, who live in Canada.

He said the decision was voluntary, and that nobody pressured him into making it.

Kayode also acknowledged his wife’s support throughout his entrepreneurial journey, recalling how she stood by him when he had little, including during his days as a barber.

“My wife stood by me when I had nothing and never for once wronged me. She was very supportive when I had nothing, especially when I was working as a barber. I was the one who destroyed everything with carelessness,” he said.

The businessman also recounted difficulties in his business, including faults with the first and second machines he used, which he said left him wondering what was going wrong.

Abayomi Jimoh, police spokesperson in Ondo, confirmed his death in a statement on Friday.

Jimoh said operatives attached to the Bolorunduro division visited the scene after receiving a report of the incident.

“The incident was reported following information received from members of the public that the deceased, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, had died in his office located beside BOVAS Petrol Station, Igba Town, at about 1500hrs on the said date,” the statement reads.

The police spokesperson said preliminary findings also showed that Kayode had recorded a video before his death, in which he reportedly lamented his life struggles.

He added that his remains were evacuated to the state hospital morgue for preservation and further examination.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives attached to Bolorunduro Division visited the scene, where two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide were recovered from nearby bush,” Jimoh said.

“No foul play or visible marks of violence were observed on his body at the time of examination.”

He said Felix Ohagwu, the state commissioner of police, had ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the actual cause of death.(TheCable)