Prime Suspect in AAUA Undergraduates’ Murder Dies Mysteriously in Custody

Akure, Ondo State – Femi Oladele, the landlord identified as the primary suspect in the brutal abduction and murder of two Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) undergraduates, Abah John Friday (25) and his friend Okah Andrel Eloho (19), has died mysteriously while in police custody. His death, confirmed by the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, occurred on Friday, July 18, 2025, at a hospital where he was receiving treatment for a sudden, unexplained illness.

Oladele had reportedly confessed to his significant role in the heinous crime just days before his death. According to police accounts, he had been unwell since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital, developing a “strange medical condition” that ultimately proved fatal.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday,” Ayanlade stated.

Background: A Heinous Crime Unraveled
The case, which shocked the community with its brutality, involved the abduction, murder, and theft of N800,000 from the victims’ bank account. The female victim, Okah Andrel Eloho, was also reportedly raped. To cover their tracks, Oladele and his accomplices transported the bodies to Ekiti State, dumping them in different locations. The remains of Okah have been recovered, while efforts are still ongoing to locate Abah’s body.

The crime, believed to have been committed around June 2025, came to light after a petition was filed with the police on June 24, 2025, by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of Mr. Emmanuel Peter, concerned about the missing students.

Police Investigation and Arrests
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, on Thursday, July 17, 2025, provided a detailed account of how Oladele Femi was apprehended and linked to the murders.

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The investigation began with forensic tracking of Abah John Friday’s stolen iPhone 14 Pro Max, which led detectives to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos. There, the phone was recovered from Abdul Mohammed Mubarak (38), who confessed to purchasing it from Ojo Michael.

Michael was subsequently arrested in Aramoko-Ekiti, where a Lexus RX 350 belonging to the victims was also recovered. During interrogation, Michael confessed to his involvement in the robbery, abduction, and murder, revealing that Oladele Femi, the male victim’s landlord, masterminded the operation. Femi allegedly hired Michael and another accomplice, “Kola” (currently at large), to carry out the crime. Investigations confirmed that N800,000 was transferred from Friday’s account during their captivity.

Michael admitted to raping Okah after she recognized him and unmasked his identity, then killing both her and Abah to prevent exposure. He and Kola disposed of the bodies in separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

Further investigation led to Oladele Femi’s arrest. Confronted with the evidence, he confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in concealing the murders. Acting on his confession, detectives recovered Okah’s body in a bush near Ode-Ekiti.

Lawal described the case as “a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed,” highlighting that the victims, “young, promising undergraduates,” were “senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood.”

Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Efforts
With Oladele’s mysterious death, questions surrounding the full extent of his involvement and the motives behind his actions may remain. Police efforts are still concentrated on locating the remains of Abah John Friday, believed to have been dumped in a river by the accomplice, Kola, who is still at large. The Ondo State Police Command has assured the public that the investigation will continue until all those involved are brought to justice.