Nollywood actor and human rights activist, Yomi Fabiyi, has called for a formal investigation and autopsy to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of actress Temitope Osoba.
Fabiyi said his organisation, Break The Silence Foundation, had petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and commenced an investigation into the actress’ death.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Monday, the actor said the probe became necessary because Osoba had reportedly made a police report shortly before she died.
He wrote, “Our Human Rights Organization has initiated a legitimate probe into the death of TEMITOPE OSOBA and have since established legal action by first sending in a bundle via a PETITION to the COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LAGOS STATE, no turning back.
“TOPE OSOBA reported the matter to the police herself and established a criminal angle. She died a few hours later, and nobody was interested in the investigation.”
Fabiyi also questioned the decision to proceed with Osoba’s burial without first conducting an autopsy, arguing that determining the cause and circumstances of her death should take precedence.
“Rushing to bury her in these circumstances without due process does not justify love, affection, or otherwise for her. It is simple common sense to wait if you truly care. Do the AUTOPSY before burying,” he said.
The activist maintained that the foundation would continue its investigation irrespective of whether the planned burial went ahead.
“Burial or no burial, we will advance in our probe and get to the root of the matter. The law will catch up when it is ready,” he stated.
He further appealed to the public not to allow emotions or sentiments to overshadow efforts to establish the facts surrounding deaths or alleged criminal acts.
“JUSTICE REQUIRES PATIENCE. We must be our brothers’ keeper, not by mouth alone but in all ramifications. Nigeria will get there, and it requires those willing and knowledgeable to keep pushing no matter whose ox are gored,” he wrote.
Osoba’s death was first announced on Instagram by fellow actor Alesh Sanni, who described her as his “dearest sister” and said he was unable to sleep after receiving the news.
The actress had publicly disclosed her battle with breast cancer about two years ago.
She subsequently announced that she had recovered and was returning to acting in August 2025, saying she intended to rebuild her life while using her platform to raise awareness about cancer.
Following her death, the Awonuga/Osoba family cautioned against what it described as false, speculative and unauthorised accounts of the circumstances surrounding her passing.
The family advised the public to rely on information released through authorised family channels.
Osoba is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.
The funeral service is expected to take place at Saint James Anglican Church, Iperu Remo, before her interment at the Iperu Remo Cemetery.
Meanwhile, her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, has given an account of what he said happened during her final moments. He alleged that Osoba died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos, although he said he could not identify the particular station.
Onadeko also dismissed suggestions that complications from Osoba’s previous breast cancer battle were responsible for her death, alongside other claims surrounding the circumstances of her passing.
However, the actress’ family has presented a different account.
Her maternal aunt, Pejuola Ogunesan, alleged that Osoba had spoken about her impending death and that her condition later deteriorated before she was taken to hospital.
The different accounts surrounding the actress’ final hours have not been independently verified.
Fabiyi’s demand for an investigation and autopsy has therefore added to calls for the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death to be clarified.
