A gospel singer, Matthew Ogundele, and three members of his crew have been found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State, sparking shock and calls for a thorough investigation.
The other victims were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv. The bodies were discovered inside the studio where the group reportedly spent the night after a music engagement.
A police source confirmed that the artistes had arrived at the studio on Tuesday evening to minister at a three day birthday praise event organised by fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola. The source said the programme lasted late into the night, prompting the group to remain at the studio rather than return to their homes.
“The convener organised a three day birthday praise which started on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were scheduled to minister on Tuesday,” the source said. “The programme ended late, so they decided to sleep over in the studio. It was the following morning that information came that their lifeless bodies had been found.”
A Christian blog, Omojesu, also reported the incident, stating in a Facebook post that the victims chose to remain at the studio due to the distance to their residences. The post read, “In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were invited to perform at a birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Because of the long distance, they slept over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep.”
The incident was reported at the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah. Since the news broke, friends, colleagues, and fans of the deceased have taken to social media to demand justice and a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Images circulating online showing traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims have further fueled public concern and speculation over the possible cause of death.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, husband of the celebrant, reported the matter to the police on Wednesday.
“He stated that he left the artistes in his studio at the HFP Shopping Complex on Tuesday night after buying food for them as they prepared for a music concert,” Adebisi said. “He explained that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home.”
She added that at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Akinbola returned to the studio and discovered that the door was locked from the inside. “He raised the alarm, the door was forced open, and the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” she said.
According to Adebisi, detectives who visited the scene observed no visible signs of violence on the bodies. “The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation,” she stated.
She further disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of death.
