Akinbolusere Kayode, the Ondo real estate businessman popularly known as Tolufe and owner of Esther Estate, has reportedly died in a suspected suicide incident. This happened hours after he released an emotional video about his marriage, business struggles. He spoke about his plans to leave his properties to his first wife and three children.
Kayode was reported dead on Thursday, October 29, 2026, with news of his death spreading on Friday, October 30. Nigerians have began examining the farewell video and trying to make sense of what happened.
In the recording, Akinbolusere Kayode praised his wife, Akinbolusere Esther Adenike, for standing by him from his struggling days as a barber, before he built his real estate business. He also spoke about difficulties in their marriage and problems affecting his business operations. 
The Ondo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed his death. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
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Akinbolusere Kayode speaks about his first wife, marriage and properties
The most striking part of Kayode’s video was his insistence that nobody had pressured him into making arrangements for his estate. He declared that he wanted his properties and accumulated wealth to go to Esther and their three children, identified in reports as Oluwaferanmi, Toluwani and Daniel, who live in Canada.
He also reflected on his journey from working as a barber to becoming a real estate businessman, crediting Esther with supporting him when he had little.
“I have settled my second wife with a house, car and ₦36 million worth of land. Everything I own should go to my first wife” he said in the recorded call before his death.
Kayode expressed regret over problems in their relationship and accepted responsibility for his part in the difficulties they experienced.
His remarks appeared intended to prevent people from blaming his wife for his circumstances.
But the video has left viewers with questions that cannot be answered simply by replaying the recording. Although Kayode repeatedly described his decision as voluntary, the video alone cannot establish everything that happened before it was recorded.
Business problems add to questions surrounding Ondo estate owner’s death
Marriage was not the only subject Kayode discussed. He also described difficulties affecting his business, including the breakdown of three machines, two of which reportedly developed faults shortly after beginning operations that morning.
For a businessman whose livelihood depended on keeping his operations running, equipment failures would have been another source of frustration.
However, it would be irresponsible to conclude that the mechanical problems caused his death. The available reports do not establish a single explanation for the tragedy, and Kayode’s comments about his business cannot tell the whole story of his emotional state.
Akinbolusere Kayode’s video sparks online reactions and suspicion
The video has prompted sadness, concern and speculation across social media.
Some viewers questioned whether Kayode had made the recording entirely of his own free will, despite his repeated statements that nobody had pressured him. Others expressed concern about the emotional weight of his remarks and the circumstances surrounding his death.
The controversy has also exposed a familiar problem with viral stories: once an emotional video lands online, people can become investigators, psychologists and family advisers before all the facts are available.
Questions about possible pressure or other contributing circumstances deserve proper investigation, but suspicion is not proof. Neither the video nor online commentary establishes wrongdoing by his wife or anyone else.
For now, the responsible approach is to allow investigators to establish the facts rather than turn unanswered questions into accusations.
Kayode’s death leaves his family, associates and the Ondo community mourning a businessman whose final public message has become part of the tragedy itself.
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