The fiancé of late Nollywood actress Tope Osoba, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, has spoken about the circumstances surrounding her death, claiming that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos.
In a recent interview, Onadeko rejected claims that Osoba died from breast cancer, stressing that her previous health challenges were not responsible for her death. He also denied allegations that she was poisoned, neglected or that funds raised for her cancer treatment were mismanaged.
Osoba, who died at the age of 40, had previously spoken publicly about her battle with breast cancer and her treatment.
Onadeko also dismissed reports that Osoba had been prevented from driving, saying she drove herself to Iperu shortly before her death.
He further denied allegations of abuse, including claims that she was subjected to degrading treatment while they lived together.
According to Onadeko, he and Osoba had been in a relationship for about two years and were living together before she left the house voluntarily.
“Tope was my fiancée. We were not legally married, but her aunty knew about our relationship. We had been dating for about two years,” he said.
He also alleged that Osoba struggled with drug addiction, saying he had repeatedly advised her to stop using drugs. He claimed that she sometimes left the house for several days following disagreements over her alleged drug use.
Onadeko said he could not afford to send her to rehabilitation but maintained that he tried to support her through advice.
He also denied allegations that he misappropriated ₦30 million reportedly donated to Osoba during her battle with cancer.
He said donations made to the actress, including a cheque reportedly presented by businessman Mike Adenuga, were paid directly into her account and that he did not have access to the funds.
Onadeko further rejected claims that he used Osoba’s money to build his church or that he had taken ₦50 million belonging to her.
According to him, the couple sometimes gave each other money and jointly handled certain expenses while they were together.
Account of Her Final Hours
Onadeko said Osoba left his residence about two weeks before her death and was expected to visit Prophetess Kehinde Osoba, whom he described as her adopted mother.
He said he remained in contact with her initially but later stopped receiving responses to his calls.
According to him, Osoba posted “OGO TUNTUN” on her WhatsApp status around 7pm on the day of her death, leading him to believe that she had arrived at her destination.
He said he was later contacted around midnight and informed that Osoba had died at a police station.
“At 12am, someone called me and said Tope died at a police station and that I should run away. I was like, why should I run away when I didn’t commit any crime?” he recounted.
Onadeko also rejected claims that Osoba was poisoned at his residence, noting that she had already left the house roughly two weeks before her death.
He denied having access to her phone or passwords and maintained that he never physically assaulted or bullied her.
The claims made by Onadeko form his account of the events surrounding Osoba’s death, while the circumstances of her death and the allegations raised around it remain subject to further clarification and investigation.
