The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has commenced an internal investigation into the death of actress Tope OsobaTope Osoba following allegations concerning the conduct of her fiancé, Itunu Onadeko, a church shepherd.
Osoba’sOsoba’s death was announced last Wednesday, several months after she underwent surgery for breast cancer in November 2024.
Following her death, unverified claims surfaced on social media alleging that the actress died as a result of emotional distress rather than cancer. There were also allegations that Onadeko and members of his family subjected her to abuse.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CCC expressed concern over the allegations, describing the situation as “embarrassing” to the church.
“We are quite sad that a promising life has been cut short in its prime, and we not only share in the palpable grief of her immediate family, relations, and the loved ones she left behind,” the statement reads.
The church said Onadeko had dragged its name into an “extremely disgusting mess”.
The CCC also reaffirmed its position against “idolatry, black magic, cultism, and the use of charms”, stressing that its worship is divinely inspired and guided by a strict constitutional code of conduct.
“At this point, we wish to make it clear that the Celestial Church of Christ is a Christian Bible-believing religious church. Our worship is divinely inspired. There is absolutely no room for idolatry, black magic, cultism, and the use of charms in our church. Indeed, the Celestial Church of Christ operates under very strict spiritual tenets and a code of conduct clearly outlined in the church’s constitution,” the statement added.
“The murky allegations surrounding the involvement of Prophet Itunu Onadeko are, to say the least, quite embarrassing to the Celestial Church of Christ.”
The church said it had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death and the alleged involvement of Onadeko.
“As a church, we are already discreetly investigating the circumstances that led to the death,” the statement reads.
Onadeko had previously claimed that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
He also alleged that Osoba struggled with addiction to hard drugs, particularly a substance locally known as kolos.
However, Osoba’s family dismissed the speculation surrounding the circumstances of her death last Thursday.
The family also announced that the actress would be buried on August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.