Since the death of actress, Temitope Osoba, conflicting accounts and fresh allegations surrounding her final days have raised questions about the circumstances of her death.

Osoba died on August 5, 2026, at the age of 40. However, controversy over how she died intensified after her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, disputed reports that she died from poisoning or complications from breast cancer.

The development took another turn on August 12, when the Osoba and Awonuga families indefinitely postponed her burial, which had been scheduled for the following day, shortly after a candlelight procession and artists’ night were held in her honour in Lagos.

In a statement, the families said the postponement was to allow for further arrangements and the resolution of pending issues before a new burial date would be announced.

Onadeko had earlier said he received a midnight call informing him that Osoba had died at a police station in Ikorodu.

He also denied allegations that he diverted money raised for the actress’ cancer treatment but alleged that she was a drug addict.

However, the Osoba family has presented a different account of the events leading to her death.

According to the family, Osoba reconnected with her paternal aunt, Mrs Kehinde-Osoba Eritosin, in May 2025 and subsequently confided in her about her personal and relationship challenges.

The family claimed that, in the days leading up to her death, Osoba repeatedly contacted her aunt for help, including asking her to intervene in her relationship with Onadeko.

According to the family, Osoba’s condition worsened on August 4 after a friend and hairdresser reported that she had not slept, was behaving strangely and making disturbing statements about death.

She was subsequently taken to Igbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu after allegedly causing a disturbance in traffic.

The family said the police later released her to her friend and two maternal sisters after her aunt, who was away at the time, requested that she be taken to her church for care.

Instead, according to the family, Osoba was taken to another church for prayers before her maternal relatives decided to transport her to Sagamu.

The family said her condition deteriorated during the journey, prompting them to take her to a private hospital before she was referred to the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

However, the family claimed that Osoba died inside the vehicle before she could receive medical attention.

The conflicting accounts have fuelled questions about what transpired between the actress’ appearance at the police station in Ikorodu and her eventual death in Sagamu.

The controversy has also drawn allegations from actress Basira Badia, who claimed that Osoba was badly treated before her death.

Badia said she had evidence to support her claims and would make it public after the burial. The allegations have not been independently verified.

There have also been concerns within Nollywood about the level of support Osoba received during her final days and after her death.

Actress, Toyosi Adesanya, who is the National Director of Social and Welfare of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, alleged that some colleagues initially refused to contribute to Osoba’s burial because they claimed she was not a member of the association.

Meanwhile, the controversy has prompted the Celestial Church of Christ to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actress’ death.

The church, through its Head of Media and Publicity Worldwide, Kayode Ajala, said it had begun a discreet investigation following allegations involving Onadeko, who is a shepherd in the church.

The church also rejected claims that its doctrine permits practices such as black magic, cultism or the use of charms.

With Osoba’s burial now postponed indefinitely and conflicting accounts continuing to emerge from those close to her, the circumstances surrounding the actress’ final hours remain the subject of intense scrutiny.

The ongoing church investigation and any further evidence from the family or other parties could provide more clarity on what happened to Osoba between the Ikorodu incident and her death in Sagamu. (Saturday PUNCH)

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