A heavy cloud of grief and unanswered questions hangs over the gospel music community in Lagos following the shocking discovery of four lifeless bodies inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah. What was meant to be a night of praise, worship, and celebration has ended in sorrow, igniting widespread concern and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The victims have been identified as popular gospel musician Matthew Ogundele, three members of his crew — Itunu Ogundele and Joseph Sanya — and a well-known gospel blogger and media personality, Matthew Awosanya, widely recognised online as JoesTv. Their sudden deaths have not only devastated their families and friends but have also shaken the faith-based creative community across Nigeria.
According to findings obtained by DDM NEWS, the deceased were invited to minister on Tuesday, the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste Olanireti Akinbola. The programme, designed as a virtual and studio-based praise session, began on Monday and featured several gospel ministers across the three days.
A police source disclosed that Matthew Ogundele and his team arrived at the studio on Tuesday evening and performed late into the night. With the programme stretching into the early hours and considering the distance between the studio and their various homes, the artistes reportedly agreed to spend the night at the studio rather than travel back.
“The convener organised a three-day birthday praise which began on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were scheduled to minister on Tuesday. Because the programme ended late, they decided to sleep over in the studio. It was the next morning that information filtered in that their lifeless bodies had been found,” a police source said.
The tragic development quickly spread across social media after Christian platforms and colleagues of the deceased began sharing the news. A Christian blog, Omojesu, in a Facebook post, confirmed that the victims had chosen to remain overnight at the studio due to logistical reasons.
“In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance, they decided to sleep over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep,” the post read.
By Wednesday morning, panic set in when efforts to reach the artistes failed. According to official police accounts, the incident was reported at the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the birthday celebrant and programme convener.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the report was made after the studio owner returned to the premises and discovered something was wrong.
She explained that Akinbola told the police he had left the artistes in his studio, located within the HFP Shopping Complex, on Tuesday night after buying food for them while they prepared for their music concert and recording activities.
“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home. However, at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, he returned and discovered that the studio door was locked from the inside,” Adebisi said.
Alarmed by the unusual silence and the locked door, the studio owner reportedly raised an alarm. The door was subsequently forced open by concerned individuals, only for a horrifying discovery to be made.
“Upon entry, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” the police spokesperson confirmed.
Detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene, where preliminary documentation and assessments were carried out. According to DDM NEWS findings, the scene sparked intense public speculation after images began circulating online showing what appeared to be traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the deceased. These visuals heightened anxiety and fuelled debate over whether the deaths were truly natural or the result of foul play.
However, the police have urged restraint, stressing that initial observations did not reveal visible signs of physical violence on the bodies.
“No visible signs of violence were observed during the preliminary examination,” SP Adebisi stated. “The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.”
She further disclosed that, due to the sensitive nature of the case and the widespread public interest, the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive and detailed investigation.
According to the police, the autopsy results and forensic analysis will be crucial in determining the exact cause of death, including whether factors such as environmental conditions, possible inhalation of toxic substances, or other unseen elements played a role.
As investigations continue, colleagues, fans, and members of the gospel music community have taken to social media to express grief, shock, and outrage. Many have described Matthew Ogundele as a passionate worshipper and dedicated minister whose music touched lives both within and outside the church. JoesTv, on the other hand, was known for promoting gospel content and uplifting Christian creatives through digital media.
DDM NEWS observed that beyond mourning, there is a growing demand for transparency and justice. Friends of the deceased insist that only a thorough and credible investigation can restore public confidence and bring closure to the families affected by the tragedy.
The incident has also reignited conversations around safety standards in studios, overnight stays at workspaces, and the need for stricter regulations and emergency preparedness within creative environments.
For now, the gospel music community waits in grief and hope — grief for four lives cut short in the pursuit of worship and service, and hope that the truth behind their deaths will be uncovered without compromise.
As tributes continue to pour in, one question lingers heavily in the air: how did a night of praise end in silence? DDM NEWS will continue to follow developments closely and provide updates as more facts emerge from ongoing investigations.
