Fresh allegations and conflicting accounts surrounding the final hours of actress Temitope Osoba have raised questions about the circumstances of her death.
Osoba, 40, died on 5 August 2026, but uncertainty over what happened before her death has intensified following conflicting claims by her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, and members of her family.
The controversy deepened on 12 August when the Osoba and Awonuga families indefinitely postponed her burial, which had been scheduled for the following day.
The decision came shortly after a candlelight procession and artists’ night were held in Lagos in her memory. In a statement, the families said the postponement was necessary to allow further arrangements to be made and outstanding issues to be resolved. A new burial date, they said, would be announced later.
Onadeko had earlier disputed reports that Osoba died from poisoning or complications related to breast cancer. He said he received a midnight telephone call informing him that she had died at a police station in Ikorodu.
He also denied allegations that he diverted funds raised towards the actress’ cancer treatment, while alleging that she had struggled with drug addiction. The allegation has not been independently established.
The account provided by Osoba’s family differs significantly.
According to the family, the actress re-established contact with her paternal aunt, Mrs Kehinde-Osoba Eritosin, in May 2025 and subsequently confided in her about difficulties in her personal life and relationship.
The family said Osoba made several appeals to her aunt for assistance in the days before her death, including asking her to intervene in her relationship with Onadeko.
The family said her condition deteriorated on 4 August after a friend and hairdresser reported that Osoba had not slept, was behaving unusually and making disturbing comments about death.
She was later taken to Igbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu following an alleged disturbance in traffic.
According to the family, police officers subsequently released her into the care of a friend and two maternal sisters after her aunt, who was away at the time, asked that the actress be taken to her church for assistance.
The family alleged that Osoba was instead taken to another church for prayers before her maternal relatives decided to take her to Sagamu.
Her condition reportedly worsened during the journey, forcing the relatives to stop at a private hospital. She was subsequently referred to Ogun State University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu.
The family claimed that Osoba died inside the vehicle before she could receive medical treatment.
The differing accounts have left unanswered questions about what occurred between Osoba’s arrival at the police station in Ikorodu and her eventual death in Sagamu.
Further allegations have also emerged from actress Basira Badia, who claimed that Osoba was subjected to poor treatment before her death. Badia said she had evidence to support her allegations and would release it after the burial. Her claims have not been independently verified.
The controversy has also prompted questions within Nollywood about the support available to Osoba during her final days and the response of industry colleagues following her death.
Toyosi Adesanya, National Director of Social and Welfare of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, alleged that some colleagues initially declined to contribute towards Osoba’s burial because they claimed she was not a member of the association.
Meanwhile, the Celestial Church of Christ has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actress’ death.
The church, through its Head of Media and Publicity Worldwide, Kayode Ajala, said it had commenced a discreet investigation following allegations involving Onadeko, a shepherd within the church.
The church also rejected claims that its doctrine permits practices including black magic, cultism or the use of charms.
For now, Osoba’s burial remains indefinitely postponed as competing accounts continue to emerge from those close to her.
The church’s investigation, together with any further evidence that may be presented by the family, witnesses or other parties, could help establish what happened during the period between the actress’ detention at the Ikorodu police station and her death in Sagamu.
