A gospel singer, Yvonne Omoarebokhae, was found dead in a hotel located in the Government Reservation Area, Benin City, the Edo State capital on Friday, April 8, according to the police.
The hotel is said to be owned by a former lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Omoarebokhae, a graduate of the Benson Idahosa University, was allegedly invited to perform at a church programme in Benin by Lagos-based Apostle Psalm Okpe, who she reportedly met on Facebook.
Okpe, of the Fresh Oil Ministry, was said to have lodged the deceased in the hotel upon her arrival.
Similar programmes were planned for Asaba and Warri both in Delta State.
Husband of the deceased, Odion, said his wife had chatted with the pastor on Facebook for several months.
It was also gathered that the cleric had allegedly hinted of plans to take the deceased to South Africa for another programme.
Odion, however, said he was shocked when he received a call later in the evening that his wife had been found dead.
He said his wife had phoned him at about 10am on the same day, saying that she would soon return home.
According to him, the police had initially urged him to return home, but later informed him that his wife was confirmed dead at the Central Hospital, Benin, and her remains deposited in a morgue.
Odion said, “At about 9.30pm, the police used my wife’s phone to call and invited me to report at the Airport Road Police Station.
“I waited for more than two hours at the police station until the police asked me to go home. But I insisted on knowing the whereabouts of my wife.
“The DPO later told me that my wife was picked up in a hotel in the GRA and rushed to the Benin Central Hospital where she was confirmed dead.
“I have yet to see the corpse of my wife to know what happened and who is responsible for her death. We have a three-year-old baby at home.”
It was, however, learnt that the pastor had been arrested and was helping police with the investigation.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday said the matter was under investigation.
Ezike also said a post mortem would be carried out to ascertain the cause of death, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Department Criminal Investigation.
When asked if any arrest had been made, the CP said, “It (case) is under investigation. The man (pastor) is married and the woman (deceased) is married.
“Not until a post mortem is conducted, we cannot conclude what happened. I have asked the matter to be transferred to the SDCI.”
Friends of the deceased have been leaving condolence messages for her on Facebook.
Her last profile update on the social media platform was posted three days before her death.
