Tragedy rocked the Lagos entertainment scene as popular music artiste Matthew Ogundele and three members of his crew were found dead inside a studio in Ajah, Lagos State.
The deceased crew members were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.
The bodies were reportedly discovered around 11 a.m. on February 4 at a studio located within the HFP Shopping Complex, Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah.
Sources said the artistes had travelled to Ajah to perform at a three-day birthday praise event, allegedly organised by the studio owner, Olanireti Akinbola. The group reportedly performed on February 3 and decided to sleep in the studio after concluding their session around midnight.
It was gathered that they were served food that night by the organiser’s husband, who later raised the alarm the following morning after repeated knocks on the studio door went unanswered.
According to preliminary accounts, the victims were found unresponsive, with blood reportedly seen coming from their nostrils, ears and mouths, though no visible signs of violence were observed on their bodies.
Investigators are said to be considering possible suffocation from generator fumes, as a generator was allegedly positioned directly opposite the studio entrance and near where the victims slept.
A police source said, “The generator was on and placed close to their sleeping area. It is suspected this may have caused the deaths, but nothing has been concluded yet.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the case was reported at the Ajah Police Division on Wednesday, February 4, before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation.
“One suspect, identified as the organiser of the event, is currently in custody. Investigation is ongoing while we await the autopsy report,” Adebisi stated.
The incident has sparked shock and mourning within the music community as authorities work to determine the exact cause of death.