The Celestial Church of Christ has launched a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, following allegations linking her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, to her controversial death.
The church disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity Worldwide, AVSE Kayode Ajala, amid conflicting accounts surrounding the 40-year-old actress’ final moments.
The church said it was disturbed that one of its shepherds had been linked to the controversy, adding that the allegations had also dragged its name into what it described as an “extremely disgusting mess.”
“For us in the Celestial Church of Christ, 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, we are also particularly disturbed and concerned that a Shepherd of our church, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, is not only involved in this controversy, but has also dragged the name of the Celestial Church of Christ into an extremely disgusting mess,” the statement said.
The church added, “As a church, we are already discreetly investigating the circumstances that led to the death of Temi.”
It also clarified that practices such as idolatry, black magic, cultism and the use of charms were not permitted under its doctrine.
“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,” it said.
The church said it operates under strict spiritual tenets and a code of conduct outlined in its constitution.
Osoba, 40, died on August 5, with conflicting accounts emerging over her final moments. The exact circumstances and cause of her death have not been officially established.
The actress was billed for burial in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, on Thursday, but her family on Wednesday announced that the ceremony had been postponed indefinitely, with a new date and venue to be communicated later.
