A young, good-looking gospel singer reportedly committed suicide, but his death is gradually turning to a subject of controversy between Facebook friends and social critics.
Michael Arowosaiye who died on Tuesday was said to be a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Abuja, though this has been disputed by another person.
A friend of the deceased wrote on his Facebook page, “The incident happened around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Sunnyvale Estate. The deceased allegedly hanged himself with his belt.”
VeryNaija wrote of the Facebook of the deceased “Michael Arowosaiye was a music minister in a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abuja. He allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday May 14th after battling with depression. He was said to have slipped into depression after finding it difficult to sort his accommodation issues. May his soul Rest In Peace.”
Reacting, Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s former minister of Aviation, condemned the RCCG for “sitting by and doing nothing,” when one of its own had difficult times.
Fani-Kayode accused the church of turning their back on the deceased and driving him to a state of despair and frustration.
He wrote: ‘For a Church to sit by and do nothing when one of its young Ministers cannot pay his rent is sad. For them to turn their backs on him and drive him into such a state of frustration, despair and desperation that he ends up committing suicide are damn right condemnable. RCCG. Why?”
Another Facebook friend of the deceased disagreed with the positions of other persons including Fani-Kayode.
He wrote “At this time, he was no longer in RGCC. He had left two years earlier to The Shepherds House Assembly in Apo where he led as the worship leader until his unfortunate death via suicide.
“He did not kill himself because of rent. His wedding was earlier scheduled for April but was canceled and he got suspended too after his nude pictures with another lady were leaked and the church got hold of it.
“He likely killed himself because of the frustration and shame resulting from his carnal dealings before marriage.”
Though Straightnews could reach any member of the deceased family, it is not known if the Michael has been buried.
It is one death, two riddles woven by friends and social critics around the cause of Michael’s death and his membership of two churches.
