A gospel artiste, Matthew Ogundele, and three of his crew members have been found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.

The crew members were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, otherwise known as JoesTv.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the victims were invited to perform on Tuesday, which was the second day of a three-day birthday praise organised by another female gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.

A police source, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, said the crew finished late and decided to sleep over in the studio, where their remains were later found the following day, Wednesday.

“The convener invited some gospel artistes to minister during her three-day birthday praise, which started on Monday. Segun Praise was scheduled to minister on the second day, and he came with his crew. The session started in the evening and ran late, so they decided to stay overnight in the studio. It was the following morning that we heard that their lifeless bodies were found in the studio,” the source disclosed.

A Christian blog, Omojesu, in a Facebook post seen by our correspondent on Saturday, stated that the deceased could not return home due to the distance.

“In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance of the studio from their homes, they decided to stay overnight at the location. Allegedly, they all passed away in their sleep,” the post read.

Sunday PUNCH further gathered that the case was reported at the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah.

Some colleagues and friends of the deceased have, in a series of posts online, demanded justice for them.

Pictures of the victims circulating on social media show blood stains in their noses, ears and mouths, sparking concern and speculation over the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

When contacted on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.

She said the incident was reported on Wednesday by the owner of the studio, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.

According to her, Akintayo said he left the artistes at his music studio located inside the HFP Shopping Complex on Tuesday night after buying food for them, as they were preparing for a music concert.

He explained that the artistes returned to the studio after collecting the food, while he went home.

Adebisi said, “However, at about 11am on Wednesday, Akintayo said he returned to the studio and discovered that the door was locked from the inside. Alarmed by the situation, he reportedly called for help, and the door was eventually forced open. On entering the studio, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were discovered.”

She further disclosed that detectives from the command visited the scene, where photographs were taken, adding that no marks of violence were found on the bodies.

“The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor on duty confirmed them dead. The bodies were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary, Yaba, for autopsy and preservation,” she added.

Adebisi noted that the case had since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigation. (Sunday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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