Ex-Lagos Civil Servant Found Dead in UK Home

A Nigerian-British citizen and former Lagos State civil servant, Prince Adeoba Adeniji-Adele, has been found dead at his residence in Barnet, London, United Kingdom, at the age of 62.

Adeniji-Adele, who retired from the Lagos State Government Public Service, relocated to the UK in 2024, where he subsequently worked as a support officer with Bushey Meadows Supported Living.

His body was discovered on Monday, November 9, after colleagues became concerned when he failed to report to work and could not be reached by telephone.

His childhood friend, Abayomi Ishola, confirmed the incident, explaining that colleagues arranged a welfare check at his residence after repeated attempts to contact him failed.

Ishola said emergency responders were called after the deceased was found unresponsive in his apartment.

He disclosed that Adeniji-Adele had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and completed treatment approximately two months before his death.

According to him, the former civil servant had recovered sufficiently to return to work and appeared physically active before the incident.

Ishola added that Adeniji-Adele initially lived in the UK before relocating to Nigeria in 2012, where he spent about 10 years in public service.

During his career in Lagos State, he served as an information officer at several government establishments, including the Office of the Public Defender and Gbagada General Hospital, where he eventually retired.

His widow, Kehinde, said she last spoke with him on Sunday, November 8, when he complained of exhaustion and told her he wanted to sleep.

She said she planned to call him the following day but became concerned when he failed to answer her calls.

According to her, someone eventually picked up his telephone at about 3.15pm, after which a man informed her that her husband had been found dead following a welfare check.

In a tribute shared on Facebook, Kehinde described him as a devoted husband who consistently prioritised the welfare of his family.

She also disclosed that her husband had been making arrangements for her and their children to join him in the UK before his death.

The couple had four children, including a set of twins. Adeniji-Adele had reportedly secured British passports for the children and was working on obtaining entry clearance for his wife.

Meanwhile, UK authorities have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death. An autopsy is expected to establish the cause of death, according to his widow.