By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has demanded a full-scale investigation into the death of Ogunbode Quadri Adedamola, a graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU) who allegedly went missing after his last known-location was the Celestial Church of Christ, Ileri Oluwa Parish on the LASU campus.

According to a statement signed by CCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala, the Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, His Eminence, Reverend E.M.F Oshoffa, has agreed to a full-scale investigation into the death of the young man whose remains were found buried near the CCC parish inside the LASU campus.

The statement further revealed that relevant church organs of the CCC have been directed to work with law enforcement agents in unravelling the mystery behind Adedamola’s death.

“While we await the official statement of the Nigeria Police Force on the allegation, the relevant church organs have also been directed to work hand in hand with the law enforcement agencies to unravel the truth of the matter,” read the statement.

Members of the CCC were further asked to refrain from circulating unverified information about the incident on the internet, and await the results of ongoing investigations from the Police and the Church itself.

“We implore members of the fold to refrain from circulating unverified reports concerning this grave allegation on the internet and to await the official statement of the Police and the Church concerning this matter. Thank you,” the statement read.

28-year-old Adedamola was reported missing on the 16th of January, 2025, after efforts by his girlfriend to reach him on the phone proved abortive.

The Political Science Education graduate last spoke to his girlfriend on the day he went missing, and disclosed to her that he was standing In front of the Ileri Oluwa Parish of the CCC within the LASU campus, and promised to call her back.

When efforts to reach Adedamola proved futile, his girlfriend alerted the police, and the CCC Shepherd of LASU, Evangelist Whepetoji Babaniye, was taken in for interrogation on the whereabouts of Adedamola, to which he claimed no knowledge of.

Upon checking Adedamola’s bank transactions, it was discovered that a sum of ?1.5 million was transferred from his account on the day he went missing, to Babaniye’s bank account and to his daughter’s and to other people’s bank accounts.

Following further interrogation, Babaniye still denied knowledge of Adedamola’s whereabouts, but when evidence of the bank transactions were shown to him, he changed his story, claiming that the funds were for Church Thanksgiving.

This change of story promoted the Police to carry on with further investigations which led to the discovery of Adedamola’s buried body just around the church premises. It was alleged that the body was buried under Babaniye’s supervision.

Babaniye is still in Police custody, pending the conclusion of the investigation.