Three arrested over suspicious death of 71-year-old cleric in Ondo

Three persons have been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command in connection with the death of a 71-year-old cleric of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Elder Omotayo Fajana, whose body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in Akungba-Akoko.

Fajana reportedly travelled to the town in Akoko South-West Local Government Area for a church programme where he was scheduled to be installed as the Baba Aladura of Ogo Orimolade Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Okerigbo, Akungba-Akoko.

The incident has generated controversy following allegations that the cleric’s body was removed from a hotel room and taken to a mortuary in Ikare-Akoko without certification of death by a qualified medical doctor.

The matter was reported to the Akungba Police Division by the deceased’s nephew, Olaseni Sunday Olaoluwa, who requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his uncle’s death.

Confirming the development on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of death.

“The command has commenced a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 71-year-old church leader, Mr Omotayo Ezekiel Fajana, whose body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in Akungba-Akoko,” Jimoh said.

According to the police spokesperson, three suspects have been arrested and are assisting investigators.

He disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that some church officials and hotel personnel allegedly moved the deceased’s body to a mortuary before obtaining the necessary medical certification of death.

Jimoh said detectives were working to establish the actual cause of death and determine whether any criminal act was involved.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, had directed a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The police assured the public that anyone found culpable during the course of the investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.