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Another tragedy hits Nollywood as lighting director, friend die during film shoot in Lekki
Another tragedy has struck Nigeria’s film industry following the sudden and mysterious deaths of renowned Nollywood lighting director, Ekemini ‘GeeTee’ Imeh, and his childhood friend, Ayodeji Walter Odediran, during a movie production in Lekki, Lagos.
The incident occurred on Saturday, February 7, at a well-known hospital in Lekki that had been selected as a filming location for a movie being produced and directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma.
Imeh, the Chief Executive Officer of a leading lighting outfit, was widely respected in Nollywood for his technical expertise and contributions to blockbuster productions, including King of Boys, as well as high-profile music videos for artistes such as Davido.
How the incident unfolded
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that Imeh and Odediran arrived at the location early in the morning to install lighting equipment for the day’s shoot.
After completing their task around 10 a.m., the two men reportedly returned to Imeh’s tinted Nissan vehicle to rest while awaiting the arrival of other crew members and cast.
About 11 a.m., a member of the production team was said to have delivered breakfast to them in the car.
The source noted that the pair appeared relaxed, with the vehicle’s air conditioning running.
However, as the day progressed, repeated phone calls from family members and colleagues reportedly went unanswered, raising the alarm.
Their bodies were eventually discovered between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., after filming activities had wrapped up for the day.
The vehicle, which had earlier been parked in a designated area for the production crew, was said to have been moved to a spot directly in front of the hospital’s reception.
Witnesses described a distressing scene.
Odediran was reportedly found foaming at the mouth, while Imeh was discovered face-down, with visible traces of blood around his nose, eyes and mouth.
Families demand answers
Relatives of the deceased have expressed suspicion over the circumstances surrounding the deaths, alleging possible foul play.
Family sources claimed that hospital officials initially restricted attempts to take photographs at the scene.
They also alleged that officers at the Maroko Police Station did not provide detailed explanations before directing that the bodies be deposited at a morgue.
Following the involvement of a retired senior police officer acting on behalf of the families, the matter was reportedly escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further probe.
Police intensify investigation
The Lagos State Police Command has since launched a full-scale investigation.
The film’s producer, Boma, has been taken in for questioning alongside the caterer who supplied the meals and the production staff member who delivered the food.
Investigators have also been deployed in the Lekki hospital to review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and question security operatives and medical personnel who were on duty at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, the bereaved families are insisting on a comprehensive autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and have vowed to pursue justice should investigations confirm any wrongdoing.
The deaths have sent shockwaves through Nollywood, with colleagues and industry stakeholders calling for transparency and a thorough investigation into the tragic development.
This is Chukuku, along Kuje – Gwagwalada road, Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Wike don reach here.
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The husband of a woman accused of killing their two-year-old son stood by her in court on Thursday as she pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Corie Walsh, 40, appeared briefly before a judge on September 24 during a preliminary hearing in the case involving the death of her son, Barrett Walsh.
Walsh appeared in a bright red jail uniform with her hair tied back during the roughly three-minute hearing. She stood beside her attorney, who told the court that the defence had subpoenaed her treatment records from the jail.
The records, attorney Andrea Lyon later said, were requested to determine whether Walsh was receiving the mental-health treatment she needs.
The defence is also seeking to have Walsh released before trial to a hospital for treatment, despite a judge rejecting an earlier request this month.
Walsh’s husband, Michael Walsh, sat in the public gallery during Thursday’s hearing alongside an elderly couple who appeared visibly emotional.
As Walsh was led from the courtroom after the hearing, she made eye contact with her husband.
Outside the courthouse, friends comforted Michael, with one supporter telling him, “She will get through this, she’s strong.”
Michael was later heard telling another supporter that he had been “packing up” the family home.
Speaking to reporters outside court, Lyon said Walsh’s family remained firmly behind her.
“Her whole family is here today — her husband, mother, mother’s best friend,” the attorney said.
“They love her and this is not — she’s never been violent… she was psychotic. They all know that and want her to get better. This is not who she is,” Lyon added.
According to court documents, Walsh’s two older children discovered Barrett with a rope around his neck and his feet off the ground in the basement of the family’s home in Frankfort, a suburb about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
The children reportedly ran to a neighbour’s house for help.
The neighbour called 911 and attempted CPR on the toddler, but he had no pulse and was cold to the touch. Barrett was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined that the child, affectionately known as “Bear,” died from “asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck,” according to court records.
Police later found Walsh fully clothed in a bathtub containing bloodied water. Investigators allege that she had attempted to kill herself by cutting her wrists and thighs with a dull kitchen knife.
Court documents further allege that Walsh confessed to killing her son and described him as the “anti-Christ” and “devil.”
The case has drawn particular attention because prosecutors allege Walsh had become intensely focused on the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children.
Clancy’s defence argued that she suffered from postpartum psychosis and was legally insane when she fatally strangled her children with exercise bands. Her trial ended in a hung jury and mistrial.
According to Walsh’s defence team, she had discussed the Clancy case with neighbourhood friends shortly before Barrett was found.
During an earlier hearing, defence attorney Robert Kerr said Walsh had sent several “confusing” and “out of character” messages about the Clancy case.
Kerr told the court that Walsh had initially expressed one view about Clancy’s case before suddenly changing her position.
A witness reportedly described Walsh as abruptly saying that Clancy was “100% not guilty”, prompting friends to question whether she was okay and whether someone should check on her.
Walsh’s lawyers have argued that she was “severely mentally ill” and experiencing a psychotic episode when Barrett died.
The defence has also rejected suggestions that Walsh deliberately copied Clancy.
“Describing Corie to have copied Lindsay is to take an easy bait,” Kerr said during a previous hearing, according to a transcript.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about his personal safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is not certain he will be alive when Nigerians go to the polls.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he discussed the political environment ahead of the election and called for a peaceful and democratic process.
The former Anambra State governor said he had been subjected to petitions and investigations in different places, adding that he remained uncertain about what could happen to him before the election.
“As I speak to you, I have also petitioned, I’ve been investigated everywhere. I still hear that I’m not even sure whether I’ll still be alive at the end of this,” Obi said.
He said he was relying on God for protection, while expressing uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding him.
“I’m praying to God for His protection because at this stage, I’m not sure what is happening,” he added.
Obi also appealed to political actors, particularly state governors, to create an environment where presidential candidates and other contestants can campaign freely ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, governors have the right to support candidates of their choice, but should not prevent candidates from opposing parties from carrying out their campaigns.
“Some of them will be campaigning for presidency tomorrow. They will be campaigning for other offices tomorrow. Let’s have peace,” he said.
The NDC candidate recalled his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying he allowed politicians from other parties to campaign in the state, including those supporting candidates who were opposed to him.
Obi’s comments come amid increasing political activity and debate over the conduct and security of the 2027 elections. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful, credible and issue-based electoral process, while urging political actors to avoid actions that could undermine democratic participation.
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