Lagos – Police have arrested Prophet Itunu Onadeko, the lover and fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope “Tope” Osoba, along with a hairdresser linked to the case, in connection with the circumstances surrounding her d3ath.
The arrests were confirmed in a public update on Sunday, August 23, 2026, by online personality Akeem (popularly known as Oko Awon Single Mother), a close associate of the actress.
According to him, Itunu was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and the hairdresser was also detained. Both are currently in detention. A third individual identified as Pelumi, who has been accused in related allegations, remains at large.
Tope Osoba, aged about 40, d!ed on August 4, 2026. She had publicly battled and reportedly survived breast cancer around two years earlier. Her d3ath triggered widespread public outcry and social media demands for a thorough investigation after friends and associates accused Itunu of contributing to her emotional distress, alleged bullying, control over her finances and career, and other issues.
Itunu had previously claimed the actress struggled with drug addiction and that she d!ed at a police station in the Ikorodu area of Lagos after an incident.
The Osoba family earlier stated that Tope had been experiencing prolonged emotional distress, depression, marital struggles, and health challenges in her final days.
They described how, on the day she d!ed, a female friend and hairdresser contacted a family member reporting that Tope had not slept, was behaving strangely, and making statements about d3ath. She was later involved in a disturbance in the Ita-Elewa area of Ikorodu that led to police intervention, after which her condition deteriorated and she passed away en route to or at a medical facility.
Associates have welcomed the arrests as a step toward justice, with Akeem noting that an autopsy will be conducted by the police. Public pressure had mounted in the weeks following her death for authorities to probe the matter fully.
The investigation continues, and further official details from the police are expected. Tope Osoba’s death has highlighted ongoing concerns about the welfare and treatment of entertainers facing personal and health challenges.
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