Prophet Itunu Onadeko, fiancé of the late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, has claimed that she died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State contradicting widespread reports that she succumbed to complications from breast cancer.
Speaking in an interview with Celestial Reality Check (the Media Investigative Unit of the Celestial Church of Christ) on Saturday, Onadeko dismissed various rumors surrounding Osoba’s final days, including allegations of poisoning and maltreatment.
According to Onadeko, he learned of Osoba’s death through a late-night call from an unidentified individual.
A random person called me around 12 am to say she died in a police station in Ikorodu, he recounted.
Onadeko, who serves as the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki, said he did not know the exact police station involved, but reported himself at a nearby station upon hearing the news.
He further explained that Osoba had visited Mrs. Kehinde Osoba, who also leads a church, shortly before her death. She insisted on seeing Mrs. Kehinde Osoba. She also wanted to see me, but I was unavailable that day due to church programs.
The hairdresser she was staying with accompanied her. We stayed in touch, and she even posted ‘Ogo tun tun’ [‘New Glory’] before I got the news,” he said.
Onadeko’s claims add a new dimension to the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death, which had previously been linked to her past battles with breast cancer and alleged depression from maltreatment by her fiancé’s family a narrative widely circulated on social media.
Osoba had openly discussed her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and in 2024, she celebrated her recovery and return to public life.
However, Onadeko insisted that cancer was not the cause of her passing. “When I first met her, after a redemption prayer, she told me she wanted to have cancer surgery.
I prayed for her, and the day she went for surgery, she even shot a skit with Boda Wasiu before we went to Evacare Hospital,” he explained.
He also refuted allegations regarding misuse of funds raised for Osoba’s surgery. Who can prove she received N30 million for her surgery? The money was sent to her account, not mine. I never had access to her funds.
People, including Mike Adenuga, supported her, but I never handled her money. I met Tope two years ago, and the church had been completed long before she joined,” Onadeko stated.
Addressing claims that Osoba was prevented from using her car, Onadeko clarified that she drove herself to Iperu shortly before her death. She drove the car herself.
I don’t know who she visited in Iperu, but I believe it was someone from her maternal side, he said, adding that although Osoba had reservations about her maternal family, he encouraged her to maintain contact as they were planning to marry.
Onadeko also acknowledged that Osoba struggled with smoking, a fact known to church members. “She was dealing with a smoking habit, and I wanted her to quit. All the church members were aware of it,” he said.
He further denied allegations of maltreatment, including reports that Osoba was punished by having faeces or urine poured on her for allegedly stealing biscuits.
When we lived together, we shared everything and bought gold for each other, which we later sold. There was never any duress or abuse. She lived in her uncle’s house and even gave him N1 million for letting her stay there after her surgery, he maintained.
Onadeko also dismissed rumors that Osoba drank poison before her death. He noted that she had left the church about three weeks prior and that he only contacted one of her uncles, Taiwo, after her passing. “Her uncle was very upset and refused to speak with me,” he said.
Temitope Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40 and is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State. As of the time of this report, Onadeko’s claims have not been independently verified, and the exact circumstances and cause of Osoba’s death remain unconfirmed.
— Punchng Report
