Confusion, grief and outrage have trailed the death of popular gospel artiste Matthew Ogundele and three members of his crew, who were found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said an investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Police sources disclosed that no visible signs of violence were found on the bodies of the victims, although investigations are ongoing.
The deceased crew members were identified as Joseph Sanya, Itunu Ogundele, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.
It was gathered that the victims had attended a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste Olanireti Akinbola. Ogundele and his team were billed to minister on the second day of the programme, held on Tuesday, February 3.
A police source said the music session ran late into the night, prompting the artistes to sleep over in the studio.
“The convener invited several gospel artistes to minister during her birthday praise. Segun Praise was scheduled for the second day and came with his crew. The session ended late, and they decided to stay overnight in the studio. Their lifeless bodies were discovered the following morning,” the source said.
Following the incident, colleagues and friends of the deceased have taken to social media to demand justice, as pictures circulating online showed blood stains around the victims’ noses, ears and mouths, raising public concern and speculation.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the case was reported on Wednesday, February 4, by the owner of the studio, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.
According to Adebisi, Akintayo told police that he left the artistes in his music studio located inside the HFP Shopping Complex on Tuesday night after buying food for them, while he went home.
“However, at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, he returned to the studio and discovered that the door was locked from the inside. He raised alarm, the door was forced open, and the lifeless bodies of the four individuals were found inside,” she said.
Adebisi added that detectives from the command visited the scene, took photographs, and confirmed that no marks of violence were found on the bodies.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of death,” she said.
