The circumstances surrounding the death of Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba have taken a fresh turn after her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, claimed that she died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Onadeko made the claim during an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the media investigative unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, on Saturday, while responding to reports and social media claims surrounding the actress’ final days.

The prophet, who is the Shepherd-in-Charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral in the Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, said he received a late-night call from an unidentified person informing him that Osoba had died at a police station.

“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” Onadeko said.

He, however, admitted that he could not identify the particular police station where the actress allegedly died.

“Although I don’t know the police station she died but I reported myself in a nearby one,” he added.

Disputes reports linking death to cancer

Osoba’s death had generated widespread reactions, with reports and social media discussions linking it to her previous battle with breast cancer and claims of alleged maltreatment.

The actress had previously spoken publicly about her cancer experience, including undergoing treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to the public space after the experience, describing the period as one that contributed to her healing and personal growth.

However, Onadeko maintained that although Osoba had battled cancer and undergone surgery, he did not believe the illness was responsible for her death.

“When I first met her, after I did a redemption prayer for her, she told me she wants to do a surgery on cancer. I prayed for her,” he said.

He recalled that on the day she was scheduled for surgery, Osoba participated in a skit before they proceeded to Evacare Hospital.

Fiancé denies access to surgery funds

Onadeko also rejected allegations that he had access to money raised for Osoba’s cancer treatment or that he diverted the funds to finance the construction of his church.

He questioned the reported figure of N30m allegedly raised for the actress’ treatment, insisting that the money was not paid into his account.

“Who has an evidence that the money she got for her surgery is N30m? It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers,” he said.

Onadeko further stated that he did not use Osoba’s treatment funds to build his church, explaining that the church had existed for years before he met the actress.

“I never had access to her money,” he said.

“I met Tope like two years ago and the church has been there since 20 years ago. The church is complete before she even joined us.”

He denies claims Osoba was prevented from driving

The prophet also dismissed claims that Osoba was prevented from using her car before her death.

According to him, the actress drove the vehicle herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death.

“She drove the car out herself. She was going to Iperu one Sunday,” he said.

He said he was unaware of who she went to meet in Iperu but believed the visit may have been connected to her maternal family.

Onadeko added that Osoba had reservations about maintaining contact with some members of her maternal family because of what she believed was their previous treatment of her.

He said he nevertheless encouraged her to maintain family relationships, particularly because they were planning to get married

Prophet denies allegations of maltreatment

Onadeko also rejected allegations that Osoba was subjected to physical or degrading treatment before her death.

He specifically denied claims that faeces or urine was poured on the actress as punishment over an alleged theft of biscuits.

“When we were living together, we borrow each other money. She bought gold for herself and me. But she eventually sold them and we both spent the money, there has never been a time that we were under duress,” he said.

He explained that Osoba lived in her uncle’s house rather than in a rented apartment and claimed that she later gave her uncle N1m after he insisted that she compensate him for providing accommodation.

Smoking habit

The prophet further disclosed that Osoba had struggled with smoking and said he had encouraged her to stop.

“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations that the actress drank poison before her death.

According to him, Osoba had left the church approximately three weeks before her death.

What happened before her death?

Onadeko said Osoba had wanted to visit a woman identified as Mrs Kehinde Osoba, who he said also operates a church, shortly before her death.

He explained that he could not accompany her because of his church programmes.

According to him, a hairdresser who was staying with Osoba accompanied her on the trip, while the actress remained in communication with him.

“She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes,” he said.

He added that Osoba was still communicating and posting on social media before he was informed of her death.

Following news of her death, Onadeko said he contacted one of her uncles, identified as Taiwo, but the man was upset and declined to speak with him.

“Since she died, I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of his uncles, Taiwo that I called but he was really mad at me and insisted that he doesn’t want to speak with me,” he said.

Osoba, who was 40, died on Wednesday.

The claims made by her fiancé have not, in themselves, established the circumstances or cause of her death. The reported claim that she died at a police station, as well as other allegations surrounding her final days, would require confirmation from the relevant authorities and available medical or investigative findings.

As of the time of the report, no independent evidence was provided in the interview to conclusively establish the cause or exact circumstances of the actress’ death.