Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Prophet Itunu Onadeko, the fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, popularly known as Tope Osoba, alongside an unidentified hairdresser, as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The arrests, which took place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, came after weeks of intense public pressure and social media outcry from the actress's friends, family, and fans demanding justice for the 40-year-old who died on August 4, 2026, just two years after she had reportedly survived breast cancer. The development marks a significant turn in a case that has been shrouded in allegations of manipulation, bullying, and possible financial exploitation.
According to reports, the arrests were announced publicly on Sunday, August 23, 2026, by Akeem, an associate of the late actress and online personality known as 'Oko Awon Single Mother,' who shared the update via an Instagram video. In the video, Akeem confirmed that Prophet Itunu was now in detention along with a hairdresser, while another individual accused of raping the actress, identified only as Pelumi, remained at large. The announcement was greeted with a mixture of relief and cautious optimism, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express hope that the long-awaited investigation would finally uncover the truth about the events that led to the actress's untimely demise.
The controversy surrounding Tope Osoba's death began shortly after her passing, when her close friends and associates raised serious allegations against Prophet Itunu and members of his family. The accusations, which quickly went viral on social media, painted a disturbing picture of a controlling relationship. Itunu was accused of manipulating the actress into moving in with him without formalizing their union through marriage, effectively isolating her from her family. He was further accused of bullying the actress, taking possession of some of her money and a car, and preventing her from pursuing her acting career or maintaining contact with her colleagues and friends. Friends of the deceased also released chat messages and voice notes, which they claimed substantiated their allegations of financial and emotional control.
The gravity of these allegations prompted the actress's family to postpone her burial indefinitely to allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. In the midst of the public storm, Prophet Itunu, who is the shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, granted an interview to the Celestial Reality Check, a media investigative unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, to defend himself. In the interview, Itunu denied all allegations of wrongdoing, claiming that it was Tope who approached him about marriage after visiting his church for prayers. He also alleged that the actress struggled with drug addiction, stating, "Tope was a drug addict and I didn’t know about it in time. And I don’t have money to take her to rehab after I noticed". The Celestial Church of Christ had earlier announced that it was conducting a discreet internal investigation into the matter.
With Prophet Itunu and the hairdresser now in custody, the police investigation is expected to intensify. Reports indicate that an autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death. Additionally, the manhunt for the alleged rape suspect, Pelumi, is ongoing. As the investigation continues, the public awaits answers to a case that has tragically highlighted the vulnerabilities of individuals in the entertainment industry. The police have not publicly released detailed information confirming the alleged criminal responsibility of those arrested, and Prophet Itunu, like all suspects, remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
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