The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the owner of a music studio in connection with the death of a gospel artiste, Matthew Ogundele, popularly known as Segun Praise, and three other persons found dead inside a studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos.
The other victims were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, also known as JoesTv. Their bodies were discovered on Wednesday morning inside the studio located within the HFP Shopping Complex.
Confirming the arrest, the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect, identified as the organiser of the programme where the victims were scheduled to perform, is currently in custody while investigations continue.
“The incident was first reported at the Ajah Division and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. One suspect, identified as the organiser of the event, is in custody. Investigation is ongoing as we await the autopsy report,” Adebisi said.
Police findings revealed that the victims had been invited to minister during a three-day virtual birthday praise programme organised by a female gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola. Segun Praise and his crew reportedly performed on Tuesday, the second day of the programme, which extended late into the night.
A police source explained that the late hour prompted the artistes to spend the night at the studio.
“The convener invited several gospel artistes for her birthday praise programme. Segun Praise came with his crew. The session ended late, so they decided to sleep in the studio. Their bodies were discovered the following morning,” the source said.
A Christian blog also reported that the victims stayed back because the studio was far from their respective homes.
Providing further details, Adebisi disclosed that the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant, reported the incident to the police on Wednesday.
“He told investigators that he bought food for the artistes on Tuesday night and left them in the studio before going home. According to him, he returned around 11am on Wednesday, found the door locked from the inside and raised an alarm. The door was forced open, and the four bodies were discovered,” she stated.
She added that detectives who examined the scene found no visible marks of violence on the bodies.
“The corpses were taken to Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a doctor confirmed them dead. They have been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy and preservation,” Adebisi said.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with colleagues and associates of the deceased demanding justice and a thorough investigation. Some associates alleged that the celebrant had gone into hiding, while her husband remains in police custody.
One of the victims’ colleagues, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Olanireti invited them, but since the incident happened, she has refused to speak. Her social media accounts are now private. The husband is the one with the police.”
In a video circulating online, the mother of one of the victims appealed for justice, describing the deaths as suspicious and heartbreaking.
“Nigerians, please help me. My son went for a programme on Tuesday. There were four of them. We kept calling their phones, but there was no response. Later, we found their bodies. Please do not let this go unanswered,” she said.
While the cause of death is yet to be determined, speculations have ranged from inhalation of generator fumes to possible food poisoning. Police authorities, however, insist that conclusions will only be drawn after the autopsy report is released.
