LASU Graduate Found Dead Weeks Before Convocation, Pastor Accused of Murder

LASU graduate Ogubode Adedamola was allegedly murdered by a pastor weeks before his convocation, with N1.5 million traced from his account to the suspect, and his body later found buried near the church.

The hopes of Ogubode Adedamola, a 28-year-old graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), to celebrate his convocation on April 3, 2025, were tragically cut short following reports of his alleged murder. A pastor has been identified as the primary suspect in the case.

Investigations revealed that N1.5 million was withdrawn from Adedamola’s bank account on the day he was last seen, with parts of the money traced to the pastor and his daughter. The victim’s body was later discovered buried near the church, where authorities also recovered a gun and an axe.

Adedamola, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in Political Science Education, was also the founder of Horlar Edu Consultancy, a business supporting students within LASU.

According to his girlfriend, who requested to remain anonymous, Adedamola last contacted her on January 16, 2025. He mentioned being near the CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, and promised to call her back. The call never came, prompting immediate concern and a report to the police.

Law enforcement officers visited the church, where the pastor, identified as Evangelist Whepetoji Babaniyeh, denied knowing anything about Adedamola’s whereabouts.

During the investigation, police obtained Adedamola’s bank records and discovered a N1.5 million transfer made on the day he disappeared. A portion of the funds was tracked to accounts belonging to the pastor and his daughter.

Initially, the pastor denied receiving any money from the deceased. However, after being presented with the transaction evidence, he reportedly changed his story, claiming the money was a Thanksgiving offering from Adedamola.

Following these findings, police conducted a search around the church grounds, where they made a gruesome discovery. Adedamola’s body was found buried nearby, and a firearm and an axe were recovered from the scene, increasing suspicions of foul play.

While there are reports that Evangelist Whepetoji Babaniyeh has been taken into custody, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin has stated that no official confirmation of his arrest has been made public.

The incident has left the LASU community and Adedamola’s loved ones in mourning, as they grapple with the loss of a promising young man whose life was cut short just weeks before celebrating his academic success.

READ ALSO: Student Charged With Murdering Fellow Student in School Bathroom

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT NG