It was a double tragedy for the family of Aiyepeku as the head of the family, Chief James Aiyepeku, father of Ayobami Aiyepeku, a photo journalist who was murdered on July 22 in Kogi State, slumped and died.
Chief Aiyepeku died on Tuesday, August 12, as a result of shock triggered by his son’s gruesome murder, according to preliminary report.

The son, Ayobami, was allegedly murdered by his friend, a correctional officer, Oluwapelumi Tolani Adebayo, on July 22 for reasons yet unknown.

The assailant was said to have later committed suicide after being declared wanted by the police while the corpse of the slain photo journalist was recovered in a bush path.

Mr. Timothyy Aiyepeku, elder brother to the late journalis, disclosed at the family residence on Wednesday in Lokoja that their father had been traumatised by Ayobami’s brutal killing.

“On Wednesday, August 6, after rushing out to complete the necessary arrangements towards the release of Ayobami’s corpse for burial, I returned home to the news that my father fell and was hospitalised.

“Despite initial signs of recovery, my father’s condition worsened, and he eventually succumbed to his illness on Tuesday, August 12,” he said.

Timothy emphasised that the family suspected a conspiracy in Ayobami’s death, citing the absence of his phone and the phone of the suspected killer, who allegedly took his own life.

He said: “the family is urging the police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation, trusting that justice will be served.

“We believe that the police can do the job; they should just put in the needed courage to see that justice is achieved for my brother, now death has taken another toll in the family,” Timothy lamented

The Sun