Tragic Deaths of Two Nollywood Crew Members on Lekki Film Set Under Investigation

Introduction: A Shocking Incident in Nigeria’s Film Industry

The Nigerian film industry, globally renowned as Nollywood, is reeling from a tragic incident that occurred on a film set in Lagos. On the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, two vital members of a production crew were discovered lifeless inside a parked car at a filming location in Lekki Phase 1. The deceased, identified as Godstime Imeh, a lighting director and CEO of GeeTee Light, and Walter Odediran, an artistic video director known as Director Carrinqton, had been working on a scene for a movie reportedly directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma.

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba has launched a formal investigation into what is being treated as an “unnatural death.” This event has sent shockwaves through the creative community, raising urgent questions about on-set safety protocols, environmental conditions, and the sudden, mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths. This article provides a comprehensive, fact-based overview of the incident, the ongoing investigation, and its broader implications for film production safety.

Key Points: Summary of the Lekki Film Set Tragedy

• Who: Godstime Imeh (Lighting Director) and Walter Odediran (Artistic Video Director), both experienced Nollywood crew members.
• What: Both men were found dead inside Imeh’s parked Nissan vehicle on the grounds of a film set.
• Where: A private premises in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria, where a movie shoot was taking place.
• When: Discovered on the evening of February 7, 2026. They were last seen alive mid-morning that same day.
• Initial Circumstances: They had arrived early, completed lighting setup, and were resting in the air-conditioned car while awaiting further instructions. Breakfast was delivered to them.
• Condition Found: Reports indicate Odediran was upright with foam at his mouth, while Imeh was slumped with bleeding from the nose, eyes, and mouth.
• Investigation Status: Police from SCID, Yaba are leading a multi-faceted probe involving autopsy, toxicology, vehicle inspection, and witness statements. The food vendor is in custody.
• Family Response: The families are devastated and have criticized the initial police response, necessitating escalation to the state CID.

Background: The Victims and the Production

Profiles of the Deceased Crew Members

Godstime Imeh and Walter Odediran were not just colleagues; they were professional partners and close friends. According to Kola Odediran, Walter’s elder brother, “They worked hand-in-hand on movie productions.” Imeh owned GeeTee Light, a company specializing in film lighting equipment and services, highlighting his technical expertise and entrepreneurial role within the industry. Odediran, aged 36 and described as the last-born of his family, was an “artistic video director,” a role crucial for shaping the visual narrative and camera movement of a film. Their dual presence on set—one handling technical lighting, the other artistic direction—underscores their integral roles in the filmmaking process.

The Film Set and Reported Timeline

The production was shooting a medical scene at Evercare Hospital before moving to the Lekki Phase 1 location. The reported timeline on February 7th is critical:

1. Morning Setup: Imeh and Odediran arrived early to install lighting apparatus.
2. Mid-Morning Break: After completing their setup, they retired to Imeh’s tinted Nissan car, which had its air conditioning running.
3. Breakfast Delivery: Around 11 a.m., a meal of yam and omelette was delivered to them in the car by a food vendor. This was the last confirmed sighting of them alive.
4. Discovery: After the day’s shooting wrapped around 7 or 8 p.m., colleagues found the two men unresponsive in the vehicle.

The film’s direction is attributed to Boma, a public figure from the reality TV show Big Brother Naija, which has added a layer of public attention to the case.

Analysis: Investigating the Cause of Death

The primary task for Lagos State SCID investigators is to establish a definitive cause of death. Based on initial family accounts and police statements, several potential avenues of investigation are being pursued. It is crucial to note that until autopsy and toxicology reports are complete, all possibilities remain “open,” as stated by authorities.

Potential Environmental and Mechanical Factors

The setting—a parked car with the engine likely running to operate the air conditioning—immediately raises the specter of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by burning fuel. In an enclosed or semi-enclosed space like a parked car with a running engine, CO can accumulate rapidly, leading to sudden unconsciousness and death without warning. The reported symptoms—foam at the mouth and bleeding from orifices—while not exclusively diagnostic, can be consistent with severe CO poisoning or other toxic exposures.

Investigators are specifically examining the presence of “industrial quality business generators” near the parking area. If a generator was operating nearby, it could be a source of exhaust fumes containing CO. The mechanical condition of the car’s exhaust system is also a factor; a leak could allow CO to enter the passenger cabin.

The Ingestion Theory and Evidence Collection

The delivery of food introduces the possibility of ingestion-related causes. The food vendor has been taken into police custody for questioning. Investigators will scrutinize:

• The remaining food for contaminants, toxins, or spoiled substances.
• The possibility of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), though this typically presents with different symptoms.
• Accidental or deliberate poisoning. This line of inquiry would be a primary focus of the toxicology report on the victims’ blood and tissue samples.

Ongoing Forensic Procedures

A standard protocol for an unnatural death investigation is being followed:

• Autopsy: To determine the physiological cause and manner of death (e.g., asphyxia, poisoning, natural causes).
• Toxicology: Comprehensive laboratory analysis of biological samples to detect drugs, alcohol, poisons, or carbon monoxide carboxyhemoglobin levels.
• Vehicle Inspection: A mechanical check of the Nissan, focusing on the exhaust system, engine, and air conditioning unit.
• CCTV Review: Analysis of any surveillance footage from the premises to corroborate the timeline and observe any unusual activity.
• Witness Interviews: Statements from the producer (Boma), the food vendor, hospital staff (if the “medical scene” context is relevant), and all crew members present.

Practical Advice: Safety Protocols for Film and Production Sets

This tragedy underscores the critical need for rigorous safety standards on all film and production sets, regardless of scale. While the specific cause is under investigation, the incident points to general hazards that every production company, line producer, and department head must proactively address.

For Production Companies and Producers

• Conduct Formal Risk Assessments: Before shooting, assess locations for environmental hazards (e.g., CO from generators, confined spaces, extreme temperatures).
• Establish a Clear Safety Officer Role: Designate a competent person responsible for monitoring on-set safety, with authority to halt production if risks are identified.
• Communicate Emergency Procedures: Ensure all crew know evacuation routes, first-aid station locations, and emergency contact numbers.
• Vendor and Caterer Vetting: Ensure food vendors comply with health and safety regulations. For large sets, provide designated, well-ventilated break areas away from vehicle exhaust or generator fumes.

For Crew Members and Department Heads

• Never Run a Vehicle in an Enclosed or Poorly Ventilated Area: This is the single most important rule to prevent CO poisoning. Even with the tailpipe outside, wind can blow exhaust back towards the vehicle.
• Be Aware of Generator Placement: Maintain a safe distance (ideally downwind and >20 feet) between generators and work/break areas. Ensure generator exhaust is directed away from personnel.
• Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. These can be mistaken for flu or fatigue. If you feel symptoms, move to fresh air immediately and seek help.
• Buddy System: Check in on colleagues, especially during breaks in vehicles or confined spaces. Do not assume someone is simply resting.

Legal and Insurance Implications

Production companies are legally obligated to provide a reasonably safe workplace. In Nigeria, this is governed by the Factories Act (applicable to workshops) and common law duties of care. A failure to implement basic safety measures could lead to:

• Criminal negligence charges if gross oversight is proven.
• Civil lawsuits from the families of the deceased for wrongful death.
• Voidance of insurance policies if the incident is found to result from a breach of standard safety protocols.

All productions should have comprehensive production insurance that covers accidents, injuries, and fatalities on set.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Lekki Incident

What is the official cause of death for the two crew members?

A: The official cause of death has not been released. It is pending the completion of the autopsy and full toxicology report from the Lagos State SCID investigation. Speculation is premature and unverified.

Is carbon monoxide poisoning the confirmed cause?

A: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a primary line of investigation due to the circumstances (car with AC running, generator nearby). However, it is not yet confirmed. Other possibilities, including food contamination or other toxins, are also being examined through forensic testing.

Who is legally responsible for the safety on this film set?

A: The producer (in this case, the individual identified as Boma) and the production company hold the primary duty of care for all personnel on set. This includes ensuring safe working environments, proper equipment, and hazard mitigation.

Why did the family criticize the initial police response?

A: The family, through Kola Odediran, stated the case was first reported at Maroko Police Station but “was not treated urgently.” They felt the seriousness of an unnatural death was not immediately recognized, necessitating escalation to the state-level CID (SCID, Yaba) for a proper investigation and autopsy order.

What happens next in the investigation?

A: Authorities will await laboratory results from the autopsy and toxicology screens. They will complete the mechanical inspection of the car and finalize witness interviews. The final police report will be submitted to the Coroner, and a decision on potential charges will be made based on the evidence of negligence, foul play, or accident.

How common are on-set fatalities in Nollywood?

A: While comprehensive, publicly available statistics are sparse, on-set fatalities are rare but not unprecedented in the global film industry. The Nigerian film industry, operating often with tight budgets and less formalized safety infrastructure compared to Hollywood, faces heightened risks from accidents, fires, and environmental hazards. This tragedy has spotlighted the urgent need for standardized safety regulations and enforcement.

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability and Systemic Change

The untimely deaths of Godstime Imeh and Walter Odediran are a profound tragedy for their families, friends, and the entire Nollywood community. Their passing, under such mysterious and sudden circumstances on a professional worksite, demands a thorough, transparent, and expert investigation by the Lagos State authorities. The findings must be made public to provide closure and accountability.

Beyond this single incident, this event must serve as a catalyst for systemic change. Nollywood, as a multi-billion-dollar industry and a cornerstone of African cultural production, has a responsibility to implement and enforce world-class health, safety, and environmental standards on every set, for every crew member. The creative vision that drives filmmaking must always be balanced with an unwavering commitment to the well-being and life of every person behind the camera. The legacy of Imeh and Odediran should include a safer, more responsible future for Nigerian cinema.

Sources and Disclaimer

The factual information in this article is based on the original reporting by Evelyn Usman for Vanguard News, published on February 16, 2026, and subsequent updates. Details such as the names of the deceased, the location (Lekki Phase 1), the involvement of the food vendor, and statements from Kola Odediran are sourced directly from that report. Details about the investigation’s scope (forensic tests, generator examination) are attributed to police statements as reported by Vanguard.

Disclaimer: This is a developing story. The investigation by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department is ongoing. All potential causes of death remain under consideration pending the release of official autopsy and toxicology findings. This article will be updated if and when new, verified information becomes available from official sources. Nothing herein should be construed as a definitive conclusion on the cause of death.