Prime Suspect in Murder of AAUA Students Dies Mysteriously in Police Custody

The prime suspect in the high-profile murder case involving two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has died under unclear circumstances while in police custody.

Femi Oladele, widely known as “Tallex,” who was the landlord of the deceased students—Andrew Eloho Okah, 25, and John Friday Abba, 19—reportedly died on Friday following what has been described as a sudden and strange illness. Oladele had been arrested alongside two other suspects in connection with the kidnapping, robbery, rape, and murder of the two undergraduates. Okah was a student in the Department of History and International Studies, while Abba studied Economics in the Faculty of Agriculture.

Oladele was taken into custody after the decomposing remains of one of the students were found buried in a shallow grave in a forest along the Ondo-Ekiti boundary. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the crime, citing Okah’s “disrespectful attitude” as the motive for the killing.

Shortly after making his confession, Oladele allegedly fell ill and was rushed to a hospital where he later died. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the exact circumstances of his death. Some sources claim he died in police custody, while others suggest he passed away at the hospital. A source familiar with the case said, “He is dead. We were told he died after falling sick, but we’re not even sure of the actual time or day of his death. Some say it happened a week ago, others say it was just yesterday. The police say he died in a hospital, but we’ve also heard he died in the cell. No one really knows what’s going on.”

Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the suspect’s death, stating that Oladele had been receiving medical attention since his arrest at a hotel and had been under constant medical supervision. “Oladele (Tallex) had been in and out of the hospital under close medical supervision and was receiving adequate care before he died in the early hours of yesterday (Friday),” Ayanlade said.

The decomposing remains of Okah have been recovered, while efforts continue to locate Abba’s body. The police have urged the public to disregard any conflicting reports surrounding the case, assuring that justice will be served and that all parties involved will face the full consequences of the law.