The fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, has claimed that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Onadeko made the allegation during an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the Media Investigative Unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, on Saturday.
His claim contradicts reports and social media speculation that Osoba, who had previously battled breast cancer, died from complications associated with the illness.
According to the prophet, he learnt of the actress’ death through a phone call from an unidentified person around midnight.
“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.
Onadeko, who is the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral in the Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, said he did not know the specific police station where Osoba allegedly died but went to a nearby station to report himself.
He explained that Osoba had gone to visit one Mrs Kehinde Osoba, whom he said also operates a church, shortly before her death.
“She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes.
“The hairdresser that Tope was sleeping in her place was the person that went with her. We maintained communication and she even posted ‘Ogo tun tun’ until I heard that she died in the police station,” he said.
The prophet reiterated that he was unaware of the particular police station involved.
“Although I don’t know the police station she died but I reported myself in a nearby one.”
Osoba’s death has generated controversy, with claims linking it to her previous cancer battle, depression and alleged maltreatment by members of her fiancé’s family.
The actress had previously spoken publicly about her experience with breast cancer, including undergoing treatment and surgery.
In 2024, she announced her return to the public space after the experience, describing the period as one that brought healing, growth and empowerment.
However, Onadeko maintained that cancer was not responsible for her death, although he confirmed that she had battled the disease and undergone 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. In fact the day, she planned for her surgery, she did a skit with Boda Wasiu and then we moved to Evacare Hospital,” he said.
He also rejected allegations that he controlled or spent money donated to Osoba for her surgery, including claims that as much as N30m had been raised.
“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. What I know is that people gave her money including Mike Adenuga who offered her a cheque. I never had access to her money.
“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.
Onadeko equally denied reports that Osoba had been prevented from using her car, saying she drove herself when she travelled to Iperu 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.
He said Osoba had been reluctant to visit her maternal relatives because of her perception that they had not treated her well.
However, he said he encouraged her to maintain contact with them because they were planning to get married.
The prophet also disclosed that Osoba had struggled with smoking and said he had encouraged her to quit.
“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.
Onadeko further dismissed allegations that the actress was subjected to degrading treatment before her death, including claims that urine or faeces had been poured on her as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.
“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.
“We never rented an apartment, the house she was living is her uncle’s house. After the surgery, she gave her uncle N1m when he insisted that he gave her something at least for staying in the house,” he maintained.
He also denied claims that Osoba drank poison before her death.
According to him, the actress had left the church approximately three weeks before her death. He 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.
The PUNCH reports that Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40.
She is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.
However, the allegations made by Onadeko had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report, and the exact circumstances and cause of Osoba’s death remained unconfirmed.
