Pastor apprehended over murder of 28-year-old LASU graduate
The hopes of 28-year-old Ogubode Adedamola, a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), to participate in the upcoming April 3rd, 2025 convocation have been dashed following his alleged killing by a Pastor.
Reports indicated that the clergyman, Evangelist Whepetoji Babaniyeh, has been taken into police custody.
However, when the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, was contacted, he stated that he was not aware of the arrest.
Adedamola, a 2024 graduate from the Department of Political Science Education and the Chief Executive Officer of Horlar Edu Consultancy—a private firm operating within LASU campus—was declared missing on January 16, 2025.
His girlfriend, who asked to remain unnamed, said she spoke with Adedamola on the day of his disappearance. According to her, he mentioned that he was standing in front of CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, and promised to return her call. However, she never heard from him again.
Based on her account, the police reportedly visited the church. However, the Pastor allegedly denied seeing Adedamola that day or having any knowledge of his location.
During the investigation, the police reportedly obtained his bank statements, which revealed that N1.5 million was transferred from his account on the day he went missing.
Further investigations by the police reportedly uncovered that part of the transferred funds ended up in the bank accounts of both the Pastor and his daughter.
Several LASU students, who spoke to Vanguard over the phone, alleged that the suspect initially denied receiving any money. However, after the police confronted him with evidence of the transaction, he reportedly claimed the money was meant for a “Thanksgiving offering.” This resulted in his detention for additional questioning.
The body of the LASU graduate was reportedly found buried close to the church premises. Additionally, a gun and an axe were allegedly recovered from the Pastor.
