The death of Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba has taken a fresh twist following an allegation by her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, that she died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Onadeko, who is the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki, made the claim during an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the Media Investigative Unit of the CCC, on Saturday.
He said he was informed of Osoba’s death by an unidentified caller around midnight.
“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.
The prophet, however, admitted that he did not know the particular police station where the actress allegedly died, adding that he reported himself at a nearby station after receiving the information.
According to him, Osoba had gone to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, who he said also runs a church, shortly before her death. He said the hairdresser with whom the actress had been staying accompanied her on the trip.
Onadeko said he had remained in communication with Osoba before receiving the news of her death, recalling that she had even posted “Ogo tun tun” during the period.
His claim has introduced a new dimension to the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death, which has generated widespread speculation, including reports linking her death to her previous battle with breast cancer, depression and alleged maltreatment.
Osoba had publicly shared her experience with breast cancer, including her treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to the public after the experience, describing the period as one of healing, growth and empowerment.
However, Onadeko insisted that although Osoba had battled cancer and undergone surgery, he did not believe the illness was responsible for her death.
He recalled meeting the actress about two years ago and praying for her before she underwent cancer surgery.
“When I first met her, after I did a redemption prayer for her, she told me she wants to do a surgery on cancer. I prayed for her,” he said.
He also rejected allegations that he had access to money donated to Osoba for her surgery or that he used the money to build his church.
“Who has an evidence that the money she got for her surgery is N30m? It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured,” he said.
According to him, several people supported Osoba financially, including businessman Mike Adenuga, who he said offered her a cheque, but maintained that he never had access to her funds.
Onadeko further explained that the church he leads had existed long before he met Osoba.
“I met Tope like two years ago and the church has been there since 20 years ago. The church is complete before she even joined us. It has been roofed and painted,” he said.
He also denied claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove herself to Iperu on a Sunday shortly before her death.
“She drove the car out herself. She was going to Iperu one Sunday. I don’t know Iperu that she went to neither do I know who’s she going to meet there but I think it is her mother side,” he said.
The prophet said Osoba had reservations about visiting her maternal family because she believed she had not been treated well by them. He added that he encouraged her to maintain contact with her family because they were planning to get married.
Onadeko also disclosed that Osoba struggled with smoking and said he had encouraged her to stop.
“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.
The fiancé equally denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine were poured on her as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.
He described their relationship as one in which they supported each other financially, insisting that there had never been a time when Osoba was subjected to duress.
“When we were living together, we borrow each other money. She bought gold for herself and me. But she eventually sold them and we both spent the money, there has never been a time that we were under duress,” he maintained.
He further said Osoba lived in her uncle’s house rather than a rented apartment and claimed that she gave her uncle N1 million after her surgery when he insisted that she should give him something for staying in the house.
Onadeko also dismissed the allegation that Osoba drank poison before her death.
He disclosed that the actress had left the church about three weeks before her death and said he contacted one of her uncles, identified as Taiwo, after learning of her death.
“She’s left the church about three weeks ago before her death. Since she died, I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of his uncles, Taiwo that I called but he was really mad at me and insisted that he doesn’t want to speak with me,” he said.
Temitope Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40.
She is scheduled to be laid to rest on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Iperu Remo, Ogun State.
However, the claims made by Onadeko about the circumstances and location of Osoba’s death have not been independently verified. The exact circumstances and cause of the actress’ death therefore remain unclear as of the time of filing this report.
