The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that one suspect has been taken into custody following the death of a gospel artiste and three others who were found lifeless inside a music studio in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
The victims, identified as gospel artiste Matthew Ogundele, Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv, were discovered dead on Wednesday inside a music studio located within the HFP Shopping Complex, Abraham Adesanya axis of Ajah.
Responding to inquiries from Vanguard on Sunday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the case, which was initially reported at the Ajah Police Division, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.
“The incident was initially reported at the Ajah Division but was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). One suspect, identified as the organiser of the event, is currently in custody. Investigation is ongoing, while we await the autopsy report,” Adebisi said via text message.
The Police had earlier disclosed that the incident was reported by the owner of the music studio, Akintayo Akinbola, who told officers that the deceased were part of a gospel music crew invited to perform at a birthday praise programme organised by his wife.
According to the Police, the artistes concluded their session late on Tuesday and decided to stay overnight in the studio. The following morning, the studio owner returned and found the door locked from the inside. The door was later forced open, where the four persons were found dead.
Police detectives who visited the scene reportedly found no visible marks of violence on the bodies. The victims were confirmed dead at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, and their remains deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The incident has continued to generate widespread reactions, particularly on social media, with friends, colleagues and members of the gospel music community demanding a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased.