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The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, amid allegations involving her fiancé and one of its Shepherds, Prophet Itunu Onadeko.
The church said it was particularly concerned that allegations involving Mr Onadeko had drawn its name into the controversy, describing the situation as “an extremely disgusting mess”.
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The CCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday amid growing public concern and conflicting accounts about the circumstances surrounding the actress’s death.
Osoba, popularly known as Tope Osoba, died on 4 August at age 40, although her death was not publicly announced until the following day.
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Initial reports attributed her death to a prolonged battle with breast cancer, an illness for which she had undergone surgery and publicly sought financial assistance in 2024.
However, subsequent accounts from her family have raised questions about her final days, with the family citing emotional distress, self-medication, health concerns and difficulties in her personal relationship.
Family’s account
The Osoba family said the actress had been experiencing emotional distress, which it attributed to “unmanaged worries, depression and self-medication”, alongside difficulties in her personal and marital life.
According to the family, Osoba reconnected with her paternal aunt, Revd Mother Kehinde Osoba Eritosin, in May 2025 and subsequently regarded her as an adopted mother, regularly seeking her intervention in personal matters.
The family said Osoba made a “frantic call” to Revd Mother Osoba on 31 July, asking for help with her worsening health and relationship with her fiancé, Mr Onadeko.
It said she contacted her aunt again on 2 August while receiving treatment and asked her to speak with her fiancé.
On the day of her death, the family said Osoba’s friend and hairdresser reported that she had not slept and was making disturbing statements about death. Revd Mother Osoba reportedly directed that she be brought to her church in Ikorodu.
However, while Revd Mother Osoba was attending a church programme in Abule Egba, the actress was taken to Igbogbo Police Station after allegedly causing a disturbance in traffic.
The family said she was subsequently released and taken to another spiritual centre before her maternal relatives transported her to Sagamu.
According to the family, her condition deteriorated on the journey. She was taken to a private hospital and referred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, but the family said she died in the vehicle before receiving medical attention there.
Church reacts
Against the backdrop of the conflicting accounts and allegations surrounding the actress’s death, the CCC said it shared the grief of her family but was troubled that one of its Shepherds had become involved in the controversy.
“For us in the Celestial Church of Christ, we are quite sad that a promising life has been cut short in its prime, and we not only share in the palpable grief of her immediate family, relations and the loved ones she left behind,” the church said.
It added that it was “particularly disturbed and concerned” that Mr Onadeko had become involved in the controversy and allegedly dragged the church’s name into “an extremely disgusting mess”.
The church also responded to allegations regarding spiritual practices, stressing that they were inconsistent with its doctrines.
“At this point, we wish to make it clear that the Celestial Church of Christ is a Christian Bible-believing religious church. Our worship is divinely inspired.
“There is absolutely no room for idolatry, black magic, cultism, and the use of charms in our church,” the statement read.
The CCC said its activities were governed by spiritual tenets and a code of conduct contained in its constitution.
‘Quite embarrassing’
The church described the allegations surrounding Mr Onadeko’s alleged involvement in the controversy as “murky” and embarrassing.
“The murky allegations surrounding the involvement of Prophet Itunu Onadeko are, to say the least, quite embarrassing to the Celestial Church of Christ,” it said.
It added that it would not remain passive while its name and image were associated with the controversy.
“As a church, we are already discreetly investigating the circumstances that led to the death,” the statement said.
The CCC did not disclose who would conduct the investigation, its scope or when its findings would be made public.
The development comes amid calls from some members of the public for an independent investigation into Osoba’s death. The conflicting accounts of her final hours and the precise circumstances of her death remain unresolved.
Backstory
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Osoba’s colleagues announced her death on Instagram on 5 August, with initial reports linking her death to a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
In 2024, the actress sought financial assistance after undergoing surgery for breast cancer. She subsequently announced that she had overcome the disease and was recovering, including in her final Instagram post on 4 August 2025.
A Business Education graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Osoba began acting in 2005 and rose to prominence in 2009 after starring in Dayo Amusa’s Ogun Mi.
She also appeared in Ifedolapo, Accident, and Gucci Girls, and worked as a dancer.
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