Three arrested after pastor dies in Ondo hotel

The Ondo State Police Command has started looking into the death of Elder Omotayo Fajana, a senior member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. His body was found in a hotel room in Akungba-Akoko, located in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Fajana, who was 71 years old, had traveled to Akungba-Akoko for a church event. He was set to be installed as the Head Prayer Warrior Father, also known as Baba Aladura, of the Ogo Orimolade C&S Church, Okerigbo.

On Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that three people have been arrested in connection with this case. These suspects are helping the police with their investigation.

Jimoh mentioned that early findings have raised questions about how the deceased's body was handled, especially since it was taken to a mortuary without a medical certificate of death.

He said, "The command has begun a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 71-year-old church leader, Mr. Omotayo Ezekiel Fajana. His body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in Akungba-Akoko.

"The incident was reported at the Akungba Division on Saturday by Mr. Olaseni Sunday Olaoluwa of Shijuwade Road, Akure. He alleged that the deceased, his uncle, had gone to Akungba-Akoko for a church programme where he was to be crowned as the Head Baba Aladura of a faction of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Ogo Orimolade C&S Church, Okerigbo, Akungba-Akoko.

"During the investigation, three suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody, assisting with inquiries. Detectives are working to find out the actual cause of death and if any crime was involved."

The police spokesperson also shared that initial investigations showed that after the cleric was allegedly found dead in the hotel room, some people, including church officials and hotel staff, moved his body to a mortuary in Ikare-Akoko. They did this without getting a death certificate from a qualified doctor.

According to him, this act is a major focus of the ongoing investigation. Jimoh added that the state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a detailed and careful investigation into the matter.

He stated, "The Commissioner of Police assures the public that the command will leave no stone unturned in uncovering the facts surrounding the incident. Anyone found guilty will face the law."

The police are urging the public to stay calm and allow investigators to thoroughly look into the circumstances of the cleric’s death.