Prophet Itunu Onadeko, fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, has alleged that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, disputing reports that her death was linked to complications from breast cancer.
Onadeko made the claim during an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the Media Investigative Unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, on Saturday.
He also denied several allegations surrounding Osoba’s final days, including claims that she was poisoned, maltreated or subjected to abuse before her death.
According to Onadeko, he learnt of Osoba’s death after receiving a telephone call from an unidentified person at about midnight.
“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.
Onadeko, 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 reported himself at a nearby station.
He said Osoba had gone to visit a woman identified as Mrs Kehinde Osoba 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,” he said.
Onadeko said Osoba was accompanied by a hairdresser who, according to him, had been staying with the actress.
He said they remained in communication and that Osoba had posted a message online shortly before he received news of her death.
Cancer claim
Osoba had previously spoken publicly about her battle with breast cancer, including undergoing treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to public life after the experience, describing the period as one that contributed to her healing, growth and empowerment.
However, Onadeko said cancer was not responsible for her death, although he acknowledged that she had undergone surgery related to the illness.
“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 claims that he controlled or had access to money raised for Osoba’s medical treatment, including allegations that funds donated for her surgery were used to build his church.
Onadeko questioned claims that as much as N30 million had been raised for Osoba, saying donations were paid into her own account.
“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,” he said.
He added that the church had existed for about two decades and was already completed before Osoba became associated with the congregation.
Denies maltreatment allegations
Onadeko also denied claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove herself 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 she was going to meet there but I think it is her mother’s side,” he said.
He said Osoba had reservations about visiting members of her maternal family because she believed she had been poorly treated by them. However, he said he encouraged her to maintain contact with them because the couple intended to marry.
The prophet further acknowledged that Osoba had struggled with smoking, saying he had encouraged her to stop and that members of the church were aware of the habit.
He also rejected allegations that she had been physically abused, including claims that urine or faeces had been poured on her as punishment over an alleged theft of biscuits.
Onadeko said the couple had shared financial responsibilities while living together and maintained that Osoba was not subjected to financial coercion.
He said the actress had been staying in a house belonging to her uncle and had never rented an apartment with him. According to him, Osoba later gave her uncle N1 million after he requested compensation for allowing her to stay in the property.
Onadeko also denied claims that Osoba drank poison before her death.
He said the actress had left the church about three weeks before her death and that he had not contacted most of her relatives following her death.
“I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of her 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.
Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40.
She is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, 13 August 2026, at Iperu Remo in Ogun State.
The circumstances surrounding her death could not be independently verified from the claims made in the interview.
