Gospel Musician, Blogger Dead in Lagos Studio After Praise

Four Die mysteriously in Lagos Music Studio During Praise Event

LAGOS, Nigeria — A gospel musician and three associates have been found dead in a music studio in the Ajah area of Lagos State, sparking a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The deceased were identified as gospel artiste Matthew Ogundele, his associate Itunu Ogundele, musician Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, widely known as JoesTv. Their bodies were discovered on Wednesday morning inside the studio, located within the HFP Shopping Complex in the Abraham Adesanya neighborhood.

Police sources confirmed the incident, stating the four had been invited to minister on the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organized by fellow gospel artiste Olanireti Akinbola. The event commenced on Monday. The victims arrived Tuesday evening, performed late into the night, and chose to remain in the studio overnight due to the late hour and the distance to their homes.

The studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola—who is also the husband of the celebrant—reported the incident to police. According to Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi, Akinbola told investigators he purchased food for the artistes Tuesday night and left them in the studio before returning home. He returned Wednesday morning around 11 a.m. to find the studio door locked from the inside. After raising an alarm and forcing the door open, the four bodies were discovered.

Adebisi stated that detectives visited the scene and documented findings, noting no visible signs of violence on the corpses. The bodies were taken to Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a doctor confirmed them dead. They have been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Images circulating online showing blood around the victims’ noses and mouths have fueled public speculation. However, police have not indicated a cause of death. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause. The autopsy results are pending.

The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans on social media, with many calling for a thorough and transparent inquiry into the sudden deaths of the four individuals during what was intended to be a religious celebration.