Five Royal Spring Hotel Staff Released in Osun Following Professor’s Death After Family Withdraws Complaint
The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has released five staff members of the Royal Spring Hotel in Osogbo, who had been detained in connection with the death of Professor Moses Tanimowo.
Professor Tanimowo, a retired medical practitioner at Osun State Teaching Hospital, was staying at the hotel prior to his death. The detained staff were released on Tuesday, August 12, after the professor’s family submitted an affidavit formally withdrawing the case from the police.
Akintayo Emmanuel, a cousin of Tolulope Idowu one of the released staff members confirmed the development, expressing gratitude for the earlier media coverage that kept public attention on the case.
“My cousin and her four colleagues have finally regained their freedom. The police initially called us to provide surety for bail, and we were ready to proceed to court. However, around 3 PM on Tuesday, they were all released to return home,” he said.
The staff members had been detained since July 8, 2025, after Professor Tanimowo collapsed at the hotel and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later passed away.
Reports indicated that the professor, who was diabetic, had been administering insulin injections. Nevertheless, an autopsy reportedly revealed strangulation as the cause of death.
The family, however, raised concerns about the autopsy findings, noting that no family members were present during the examination. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the circumstances of his death, the withdrawal of the complaint allowed for the immediate release of the detained hotel staff.
This development brings an end to over a month of detention without arraignment for the staff members, raising questions about police procedures and the handling of sensitive cases involving sudden deaths in hospitality facilities.
