On July 21, 2025, the Adebayo family set out from Lagos to Abuja. The trip was rooted in culture and obligation to mend a troubled marriage and ease tensions between two families that were already drifting apart.

But what began as a peace mission later turned to a tragedy. Less than 48 hours later, the trip was overshadowed by a calamity that remains deeply disputed nearly a year after.

At the heart of the storm are two dead young men, Oluwapelumi Simidele Adebayo, a deputy superintendent of the Nigeria Correctional Service, and Ayobami Titus Aiyepeku, a photographer.

Their deaths have been surrounded by conflicting accounts, ranging from domestic violence and suicide claims to allegations of murder and cover-up.

A journey of peace

Pelumi Adebayo, as he was widely known, had reportedly been involved in an altercation with his wife, Laureen Onoja. In keeping with the customs of their Okun heritage, his elderly parents undertook what is traditionally expected in such circumstances, which is a visit to the wife’s family to apologise and seek reconciliation.

Their destination in Abuja was the residence of Laureen’s guardian and uncle, Chief Edward David Onoja, a former deputy governor of Kogi State.

For the Adebayos, the visit was intended to calm tension and preserve the marriage. For Onoja, however, the situation, by his own account, was far more serious than a routine marital disagreement.

According to the Adebayo family, the reception they received was hostile. They would later claim that Onoja was visibly angered, dismissive of their conciliatory gestures, and unequivocal in his stance that the marriage was over.

The elder Adebayo, then 71, reportedly left the meeting. But Onoja’s own account paints a sharply different picture.

In a detailed public statement issued weeks later, he rejected claims of hostility, insisting instead that the meeting was pleasant and lasted about two hours, with both families brainstorming on possible solutions.

He maintained that there was no rebuff of peace efforts and that discussions centred on managing what he described as Pelumi’s behavioural and psychological challenges.

According to Onoja, his daughter had endured years of escalating domestic violence in Pelumi’s house, which the Adebayo family did not accept. He claimed she concealed the abuse for years, only reaching out when her life was threatened with a knife.

The meeting, he said, ended with a structured agreement: the wife and child would remain with him for three months. Thereafter, the wife and child would also move to Lagos and stay there for another three months with Pelumi’s parents, while Pelumi underwent treatment, with both families collaborating on rehabilitation.

The day everything changed

By the evening of July 22, the situation had taken a dark and irreversible turn.

The Adebayo family, already on their way back to Lagos, received a call that altered everything.

According to their account, Edward Onoja contacted Pelumi’s brother with alarming claims: that Pelumi had killed someone on his property in Lokoja and had gone into hiding. He advised that Pelumi surrender himself to avoid mob justice.

But the Adebayo family insisted it was not just shocking, it was impossible. By their reconstruction of events, Pelumi was already dead at the time those calls were made. They pointed to what they described as critical inconsistencies, particularly the timing of phone activity. His devices, they claim, had gone offline hours earlier

For the family, the timing discrepancy raised serious questions about who knew what, and when.

Onoja, on his part, offered a different explanation. He stated that he received information from an associate, who worked with the late Aiyepeku on his property. The call, he explained, triggered the chain of communication that followed.

Story takes shape

In the hours and days that followed, a version of events quickly gained traction, particularly across social media. According to the widely circulated account, Pelumi had killed Ayobami Aiyepeku and subsequently taken his own life. They insisted that the information, rather than resolve issues, was a distorted account of events. They alleged that both Pelumi and Aiyepeku were victims of a premeditated double homicide carried out on July 22 at a property linked to Onoja in Lokoja.

The family further claimed that what followed was, in their view, a misleading version of events. They also argued that the crime scenes were manipulated.

The hotel room mystery

Investigation revealed that the most contentious element of the case is probably the discovery of Pelumi’s body at Abidan 115 Guest Inn.

According to accounts referenced by Onoja, the hotel manager told investigators that Pelumi checked in during the early hours of July 23, spent time watching television at the reception, and later retired to his room. When he failed to check out, the staffers were said to have alerted the authorities, who then forced the door open and found him dead, alongside what appeared to be a suicide setup, including a bottle of pesticide, a soft drink, biscuits, and a note.

To many observers, this appeared straightforward. But to the Adebayo family, it did not. The family listed some troubling details, which included how Pelumi was reportedly found unclothed; his phone missing; and, most significantly, toxicology tests allegedly showed no trace of poison in his system.

The family contended further that the findings were incompatible with suicide by pesticide ingestion. Instead, they suggested that the scene might have been staged to support a predetermined narrative.

They further alleged that his body had been cleaned, which they believed could indicate an attempt to conceal evidence of violence. However, Onoja disputed the insinuations indirectly, citing a pathologist he engaged, who reportedly found no evidence of stabbing, gunshot wounds, or strangulation.

He also questioned the reliability of toxicology conclusions, suggesting that determining poisoning after a certain period can be scientifically uncertain.

The silent report

The controversy is being compounded by claims surrounding the autopsy and toxicology reports. The Adebayo family stated that despite paying substantial sums for the examinations conducted at the National Hospital in Abuja, they were denied full access to the results.

They further alleged attempts by interested parties to influence or compromise the findings. The divergence raised a key question on how both sides would cite medical evidence, yet reached such different conclusions.

It Is being contended that until full reports are made available and independently verified, that question is unlikely to be resolved.

The digital battleground

The Adebayo family also alleged a coordinated online effort to shape public perception. According to the family, the campaign portrayed Pelumi as mentally unstable and capable of extreme violence.

They claimed that personal information about the family was circulated widely, compounding their grief with public scrutiny and reputational damage.

But Onoja rejected such claims. He insisted he does not operate any media machinery and had not commented publicly until he felt compelled to respond to what he described as defamatory reporting. He argued that much of the online narratives emerged particularly from individuals connected to Aiyepeku’s professional circles.

Questions for the police

The Adebayo family has levelled serious accusations against elements within the Nigeria Police Force. They claimed that investigators delayed key processes, failed to act on crucial evidence, and attempted informal resolutions which they considered inappropriate for a case involving multiple deaths.

Among their concerns are the alleged failure to retrieve CCTV footage of the hotel where the dead body of Pelumi was found, analyse Pelumi’s call logs comprehensively, and conduct thorough forensic examinations of digital devices.

They argued that the omissions have significantly hindered efforts to uncover the truth.

Onoja, in contrast, expressed confidence in the investigation process. He noted that the case is before the Homicide Department of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja. He also raised a counter-allegation that the complainants themselves have been absent from some investigative sessions.

Freezer trail

A lot of media reports were found online, which were published immediately after Pelumi was accused of killing Ayobami Aiyepeku on Monday July 22, 2025. But his family rejected the narrative, describing it as a calculated move to distort the facts of the case.

On that fateful day, 26-year-old apprentice, Ayobami Aiyepeku was working with his employer, Ujah Goodness, at a studio opposite the Kogi State Government House when the Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Oluwapelumi Adebayo allegedly arrived around 7:50 p.m. and asked to see the apprentice photographer outside.

Moments later, Aiyepeku reportedly screamed for help. Goodness was said to have been frightened and alerted local vigilantes rather than stepping out. By the time help came, the scene had gone cold.

According to the reports, Pelumi allegedly attacked and killed the apprentice, hid his body in a deep freezer, loaded it into a white, unregistered Hilux van and fled. The vehicle was later found abandoned near Nataco Junction, with bloodstains inside the freezer and a machete believed to be the murder weapon recovered. The body, however, was missing.

Less than 24 hours later, the case took a darker turn. At about 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, staff of Abidan 115 Guest Inn discovered Pelumi dead in a room, naked and alone.

A suicide note, a bottle of insecticide and a plastic Coca-Cola bottle found beside him pointed to suspected poisoning.

He was confirmed dead at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and his remains deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

Two lives, one case

The Adebayo family insisted that Ayobami Aiyepeku’s death must not be overshadowed. They argued that early reports about his killing have also been inconsistent and that his case is inseparable from Pelumi’s.

For them, this is not just about one son, it is about two young men whose lives ended under unclear circumstances.

Onoja, while distancing himself from any connection to Aiyepeku, acknowledged that the death of the two was a tragedy, calling for a thorough investigation.

Yet even here, differences persist as the Adebayo family viewed the deaths as interconnected acts of violence, while Onoja maintained that he has no knowledge of the circumstances beyond what has been publicly reported.

Grief, fear and pressure

The Adebayo family spoke of profound grief, compounded by fear and a sense of vulnerability. They alleged that they were being monitored, intimidated, and that pressure has extended even to their legal representatives.

For them, the pursuit of justice has become not just a legal battle, but a personal ordeal.

Onoja, too, described his own experience as depressing. He spoke about reputational damage, a flood of accusatory messages, and what he saw as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his public service record.

A national question

As months passed without definitive resolution, the case might have taken on broader significance. The Adebayo family has escalated its appeal, and called on civil society organisations, such as Amnesty International and SERAP to intervene. They have also directed a public appeal to President Bola Tinubu, seeking federal oversight.

Their argument centred around Pelumi, saying if a serving officer of the state can die under such circumstances without clarity, what does that mean for ordinary citizens?

Edward Onoja speaks

For Edward Onoja, the allegations are not just incorrect, they are defamatory. He categorically denied any involvement in the deaths of either Pelumi or Aiyepeku. He described the accusations as baseless and malicious.

He maintained that he was not present in Lokoja at the time of the incident, had no knowledge of the events leading to the deaths, and has cooperated fully with investigators.

He also advanced a counter-narrative: that the tragedy might ultimately stem from untreated mental health issues and domestic instability. He referred to the issues as factors he believed the Adebayo family failed to adequately address.

On the digital imprint, he said: “I am not a social media practitioner nor do I own or operate a media team from when I left office on January, 27th, 2024. I was reading on social media like any other Nigerian the sequence of unfolding events.

“In fact, it was the wedding photo of Late Pelumi and my daughter that was first posted online. Some of the narratives online also alluded to the owner of the compound being a kingpin of organ harvesting or ritual killing ring, a narrative that prompted the NPF to invite me for an interview.

“So, it’s not only irresponsible but malicious for anyone to link online posts to me. Ayo was a photographer and interacted with the entertainment community in Kogi. So, news of his death and missing body was pushed mainly by the players in that industry. I am no member of the entertainment sector in Kogi.

“I had never slept a night in Kogi since I left office till the unfortunate incident. I only just started in February of 2026. None of those listed in the false petition, except my daughter, even related with me until the incident.

“And I boldly say that since I left the government in 2024, I only met most physically for the first time on Tuesday March 24, 2026 when we honoured the police invitation – a meeting that both the petitioner and his counsel refused to attend.”

Onoja stated further that from the time his daughter sent a message to him on her near death experience, until July 22 and 24, 2025 that the unfortunate incidents happened, he or anyone related to him by blood or work never made any online comment “until Saharareporters working with the Adebayos, released a damaging post on July 31, (2025).

“That was what necessitated my public response to clarify issues. And since the police took over the investigation, I have remained calm, awaiting the final outcome of their report.

“Unfortunately, the complainants and petitioners rather than wait to see the result of their own petition have resorted to approaching media houses with false, fake and mischievous narratives, a move that is making me feel they are now hired to do a hatchet job by some political cowards.”

Onoja noted the reference made by the reporter severally to Pelumi’s family findings while engaging with him via phone conversation. He responded by saying: “I find that curious. Findings from ‘hear say’ and their own independent, self-appointed investigation outside those of the NPF?

“As for suicide, I was never in Lokoja or in the hotel to know that. I only heard from the manager of the said hotel and believe he penned same in his statement to the police that “Pelumi walked into their hotel in the early hours of Wednesday the 23rd, paid for a room, and never came out till 4pm, he sat at the reception and watched TV for 30 minutes and returned to his room.

“And until about midday, Thursday when he, the manager, sought to ensure his check out time. After using the intercom and knocking severally with no response. That he alerted the police. He did say to my hearing right in front of the CP homicide onTuesday March 24, 2026 that it was the police who got a carpenter to force the door open.

“ And they met Pelumi lying down with a suicide note, sniper bottle and coke. That same note and ID card were equally posted on social media.

“All these testaments I heard from the manager of the hotel at the interview session with the CP Homicide ANC team of investigators along with Ayo’s elder brother, Timothy, my niece, and all the other four persons they falsely petitioned with me.

“All my years in Kogi, I never knew or heard of any hotel, lodge or guest inn by that name for the records.”

Waiting for closure

For the Adebayo family, it is a fight for truth, accontability, and the restoration of a son’s name.

For Edward Onoja, it is a battle to defend his reputation and reject what he described as damaging falsehoods. But for the public, it is a test of whether truth can emerge from a fog of contradictions.

As gathered, the FCID’s final report is expected to address the identified discrepancies, which have left the case unresolved and clouded by contradictions. (The Sun, excluding headline)