A cloud of grief has descended over the Lagos gospel music community after the lifeless bodies of gospel singer Matthew Ogundele and three of his crew members were discovered in a music studio in Abraham Adesanya, Ajah.
The victims have been identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a popular blogger, Matthew Awosanya, also known as JoesTv.
Sources say the group had been invited to perform on the second day of a three-day birthday praise event organized by fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola. After a late-night session, the artistes reportedly decided to spend the night at the studio. It was the following morning that their bodies were found.
A police source explained, “The convener invited gospel artistes for her birthday praise, which began on Monday. Segun Praise was scheduled for the second day and came with his team. Their session ran late into the night, so they opted to stay in the studio. Sadly, they did not wake up the next morning.”
A post by Christian blog Omojesu shared on Facebook added that the victims likely stayed overnight due to the distance from their homes. “In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio in Ajah. Because they could not return home that night, they stayed over and allegedly passed away in their sleep,” the post stated.
The Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah is currently handling the case. Friends and colleagues have taken to social media, calling for clarity and justice over the circumstances of their deaths. Disturbing images circulating online show blood stains on the victims, intensifying concern and speculation.
When reached for comment, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Adebisi confirmed the incident. She revealed that the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the birthday celebrant, reported the tragedy. Akintayo said he had left the artistes at the HFP Shopping Complex studio after delivering food to them for their performance.
The sudden and unexplained loss of Matthew Ogundele, Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and Matthew Awosanya has left many in shock, mourning, and searching for answers, as the gospel music community comes to terms with this heartbreaking tragedy.
