The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the owner of a Celestial Church of Christ, located at Ileri Oluwa Parish, Lagos State University (LASU) 2, Pastor Sunday Whepetoji Babaniyeh for the murder of Adedamola Ogunbode, a 28-year-old graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), who had been missing since January 16.
Whepetoji allegedly received N70,000 from the victim’s account, and a church member, Sheriff Adebayo, was also accused of receiving N300,000.
The Police on Wednesday exhumed the body of the deceased, a Political Science Education graduate, which was found buried in a shallow grave behind the LASU fence on its Ojo campus.
Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of four suspects linked to the murder, adding that a manhunt is underway for four others.
The suspects allegedly transferred all the funds from Ogunbode’s bank account and shared the proceeds among one another.
“One of the principal suspects, after his arrest, confessed to the crime and led us to this site where the victim was buried,” Hundeyin disclosed during the exhumation.
Following the assumption of duty by the new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, on February 18, the case was escalated from a missing person report to a suspected murder investigation, leading to the breakthrough.
Hundeyin assured the public that justice would be served, adding that efforts were being intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects.
“The suspects will definitely be prosecuted to ensure justice is served,” he assured.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged the Lagos State Government’s support in crime-fighting efforts.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that those present at the scene included police officers, health workers, local government officials, LASU students and lecturers, and Ojo residents.
Hundeyin informed journalists on Monday that the police had sealed a church where one of the arrested individuals worshipped, following intelligence suggesting a planned arson in retaliation.
“The church was sealed based on intelligence indicating that some individuals intended to set it on fire out of vengeance, and we want to prevent that,” he stated.
Following Ogunbode’s disappearance, a family source hinted that Quadri was last seen near the Celestial Church of Christ, Ileri Oluwa Parish, Lagos State University (LASU) 2, belonging to one Whepetoji Babaniyeh
“He was last seen around the church premises, and since then, we have yet to hear from him. The police have arrested the pastor over the incident and have stated that investigations are ongoing,” the source said.
The source also revealed that Ogunbode was on a phone call with his girlfriend at the time of the incident.
“His girlfriend was speaking to him on the phone when it happened. He told her he was near the church when someone from inside called him. That was the last time anyone heard from him,” the family member said.
Reports on Tuesday said a shallow grave where Ogunbode was reportedly buried had been discovered following the arrest of the principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the location on Tuesday as detectives moved to exhume the victim’s remains.
The prime suspect, who was rumoured to have fled to Benin Republic, was apprehended on Monday morning in the Alakuko area of Lagos.
“The principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, was arrested yesterday (Monday) morning at the Alakuko area. He was the one who cleared the victim’s bank account through the victim’s mobile phone,” Hundeyin said.
The police had earlier announced the arrest of three suspects and the ongoing search for five others linked to the murder of the 2024 graduate.
The prime suspect’s mother, Omolara Ajisomo, was also taken into custody for allegedly helping her children, Teniola and Olaoluwa Ajisomo, flee after they each reportedly received N300,000 from the victim’s account.
Following threats of a statewide protest by the students’ union, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.
Hundeyin clarified that the grave was not located within the church premises, contrary to speculation on social media.
“The shallow grave is not around the church premises, but it is there in the community,” he said.
He added that the police had sealed off the church where the arrested cleric worshipped, following intelligence reports of a planned arson in retaliation.
“The church was sealed following intelligence reports that some people planned to burn it out of vengeance, and we do not want that to happen,” he stated.