Pilgrimage tragedy: 58-year-old magistrate passes away on return from Jerusalem

A devastating tragedy befell the Lagos State judiciary as Magistrate Olasanmi Ogunkanmi, a 58-year-old pastor, suddenly collapsed and passed away, Persecondnews reports.

This shocking incident occurred just a night after his return from a three-week spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel.

According to reports, Magistrate Ogunkanmi had embarked on the pilgrimage as part of the first batch of Lagos pilgrims, fulfilling a sacred journey before his untimely demise on January 1, 2025.

The deceased, who worked at Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, was described as “gentle, humble and amiable fellow” who performed his job excellently well while alive.

“Adegbite, was filled with excitement and satisfaction on his return on 1st January, 2025 when suddenly, God called him home,” a court staff said.

There are currently conflicting accounts surrounding the circumstances of Magistrate Ogunkanmi’s death.

Initial reports suggest that he collapsed suddenly and passed away on the night of his return, at his residence.

However, an alternative account indicates that he retired to bed that evening and passed away peacefully in his sleep, never to awaken again.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite has paid a condolence visit to the widow of late Ogunkanmi at their Ikorodu residence in Lagos on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Adegbite, expressed heartfelt sympathy with the young widow, over the sudden and shocking death of the magistrate.

He urged her to have faith in God and be rest assured that the deceased has gone to rest in the bosom of his maker.

”It was not an accident that late Magistrate Ogunkanmi died the night he successfully returned from performing holy pilgrimage in Jerusalem. The occurrence makes his death providential.

“Your husband lived a well fulfilled life on earth, it is therefore not how long one lives on earth that matters but how well.”

Adegbite, therefore, assured her of the support of the commission for a successful burial of the worthy JP of the commission and a pilgrimage Ambassador of Nigeria.

The NCPC boss had earlier visited his family residence in Kado, Abuja, on Monday, January 13 to condole with the family.

Persecondnews gathered that the body of Ogunkanmi would be buried on February 7, 2025.