Adetunji Opayele was many things to many people—a son, a brother, a friend. He was also the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bumpa, a retail automation startup that has helped over 60,000 small and medium-sized businesses process transactions.
To those who knew him, Teejay (as he was fondly called) was a brilliant example of Nigerian excellence until an accident tragically cut short his life on March 4, 2025.
What happened to Teejay?
Here’s how Teejay’s friends narrate it: On March 4, just like any other day, he stopped by the iFitness gym in Victoria Island, Lagos, after a long day at work and then headed home on his power bike.
As he rode along Ozumba Mbadiwe, he had the right of way (meaning other drivers were supposed to yield to him), but Biola Adams-Odutayo, who had just left a restaurant with her friend, drove onto the expressway without checking for oncoming traffic and crashed into him. Even though he had on full safety gear, he was knocked unconscious by the crash and was left lying on the road.
According to a petition started by people who knew and loved Teejay, Adams-Odutayo refused to step out of her vehicle to assist him. When eyewitnesses gathered around and begged her to help take him to the nearest hospital, they were reportedly told she didn’t “want blood to stain her car”.
After trying and failing to flag down a car to help Teejay, the bystanders eventually convinced an Uber driver who drove Teejay to two hospitals that refused to admit him. However, these strangers didn’t give up. They took him to another hospital in a minibus, but this time, with Adams-Odutayo, who was said to have followed them reluctantly.
At about 11:30 PM, Teejay’s brother got a call about the accident. He made it to the hospital past midnight, just about the same time Teejay was brought in. Shortly after, the doctors confirmed he had passed away.
Who is Biola Adams-Odutayo, and what did she do after Teejay’s death?
Adams-Odutayo is a healthcare professional and serves as the Head of Health at a recognized insurance brokerage firm.
The petitioners write that she had a drip at the hospital after Teejay was pronounced dead, saying she was in shock but also made an attempt to escape. The petitioners also mentioned that Adams-Odutayo and her family claimed they have “connections”, a claim that is believed to be the reason why she spent only one night in police custody before disappearing from public view for days. When she finally appeared in court, it was on a reckless driving charge. Her bail requirement was set at ₦1,000,000, and two sureties in like sum, both of which she met the same day.
Can you do anything about this?
Teejay’s friends and family have only five demands and need Nigerians’ help to make them happen. Their major request is that people sign this petition, but another way to help ensure the case gets a proper day in court is by consistently talking about it using the hashtag #JusticeforTeejay until appropriate authorities take up the matter.
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