Man’s decomposing corpse discovered in Lagos home

The Lagos State Police Command has begun investigation into the discovery of a man’s decomposing corpse in his apartment at 9, Ezemegbu Drive, Okota area of Lagos.


Two persons, a security guard attached to the building and a woman have been arrested in connection with the discovery.

The deceased identified as Sylvanus Ikelie Okoye, from Abidi Umu Ochi, in Anambra State and a trader in Lagos Island, was reportedly last seen two weeks ago,with his whereabouts unknown and his apartment under lock and key.

Residents said they had been perceiving stench but never suspected it was that of a decomposing corpse, until yesterday.

Eye witnesses told Vanguard that landlord of the three-storey building met the guard discussing in hush tone with someone. Out of curiosity, he was said to have requested to know what the discussion was all about, only for the security man to inform him that Ikelie’s keys and phone were handed over to him two weeks ago.

The landlord was said to have contacted policemen at Ago division who visited the house, comprising eight flats, consequent upon which the apartment was opened, only to discover Okoye’s decomposing body.

A pestle and a knife suspected to have been used to murder the 39-year-old man were reportedly found in the apartment .

When Vanguard arrived the scene, yesterday, occupants of the building were no where to be found while everyone approached kept mum.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The landlord said they have been perceiving foul odour which they assumed was from a dead rat. The security man said a woman who sells provision downstairs gave him, Okoye’s key and phone. On her part, we heard she said the items were given to her by an unknown visitor to keep for the owner.

“Everyone who knew him described him as an easy going fellow and an introvert. We were all surprised that a thing like this happened without anyone’s knowledge until now.”

The deceased’s brother, Edmond Okoye, who was invited by the police said he did not know that his brother had been missing since two weeks. His late brother, according to him, was not married.

He said: “I was called by the landlord that they have not seen my brother for sometime and that his phone and house key were in their custody. I rushed to his place and when we opened the door to his flat, we saw his body smelling. A rope was tied to his neck,with a pestle and a knife on his bed.

He, therefore, appealed to the police to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of his brother’s death and bring the perpetrators to book.