Police begin probe as cleric dies in Ondo hotel

A senior member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Omotayo Fajana, has been found dead in a hotel room in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the cleric left Akure, the capital of Ondo State, for Akungba-Akoko where he was scheduled to be installed as the Head Prayer Warrior Father (Baba Aladura) of Ogo Orimolade C&S Church, Okerigbo.

The incident was confirmed by the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Jimoh said an investigation into the cleric’s death had commenced, adding that three persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.

The police spokesperson noted: “The incident was reported at the Akungba Division on Saturday by Mr Olaseni Sunday Olaoluwa of Shijuwade Road, Akure, who alleged that the deceased, his uncle, had travelled to Akungba-Akoko for a church programme where he was scheduled 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.

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“In the course of the investigation, three suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody, assisting with inquiries.

“Detectives have commenced efforts to establish the actual cause of death and determine whether any criminal acts were involved.”

Jimoh further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that after the cleric was allegedly found dead in the hotel room, some individuals, including church officials and hotel workers, moved his remains to a mortuary in Ikare-Akoko without first obtaining certification of death from a qualified medical practitioner.

Jimoh stated the action has become a key focus of the ongoing investigation, adding that the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation into the incident.