Chief James Aiyepeku, the father of Ayobami Aiyepeku, a photojournalist who was brutally murdered on July 22, 2025, in Kogi State has passed away.
The deceased passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after suffering a stroke, reportedly triggered by the shock of his son’s gruesome murder.
Speaking with our Correspondent at the family residence in Lokoja, a senior brother to the murdered journalist, Timothy Aiyepeku said their father had been traumatised by Ayobami’s sudden and 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 had fallen sick 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 added, “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 resources to see that justice is achieved for my brother,” Timothy appealed.
He added that, “Up till now, the Police has not communicated to us on the update of their investigation regarding the circumstances behind my brother’s death.
“We believe that they are law enforcement agency and they are doing what is required of them to ensure justice for my late brother,” Timothy noted.
Spokesperson of Kogi Police Command, Williams Ovye-Aya had stated that Ayobami Aiyepeku was allegedly murdered by his friend, Jacob Adebayo Oluwapelumi on July 22 in an office near the Government House/GRA area of Lokoja.
