Man Punched to Death During Argument Over Right of Passage at Lagos Lounge
On what should have been an ordinary Tuesday night in Lagos, the hustle and bustle of the city’s nightlife took a deadly turn at a popular lounge in Ogidan, Sangotedo, when a disagreement between two men escalated into a fatal confrontation. By the end of the night, one man was dead, and another was in police custody for allegedly punching the life out of him during an argument over what has been described as a dispute over “right of passage.”
The tragic incident, which occurred around 8 p.m. on May 6, 2025, has since drawn widespread attention on social media and local news outlets, raising concerns about anger management, public decorum, and the increasing trend of violence in Nigeria’s leisure spaces.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, 46-year-old Philip Ogbuehi was arrested shortly after the incident for his alleged role in the death. The identity of the deceased had not been released as of the time of this report, pending the completion of police investigation and formal notification of the victim’s family.
This report seeks to chronicle what happened, provide context to the incident, and reflect on the wider societal implications of such a senseless act of violence.
Ogidan, Sangotedo, in Lagos State is a rapidly developing neighborhood along the Lekki-Epe axis. Once a sleepy suburban enclave, the area has transformed into a bustling semi-urban zone of mixed developments—residential estates, shopping plazas, eateries, lounges, and nightclubs.
On May 6, the unnamed victim had reportedly come to one of the area’s popular lounges—an upscale facility known for its open-air bar, live DJ sessions, and evening grill. A Tuesday night visit to such a place would normally be innocuous: people come to unwind, sip a few drinks, dance to Afrobeat rhythms, or engage in social chatter.
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However, multiple eyewitnesses say the atmosphere on this particular night became tense when two middle-aged men clashed over “right of passage” near the VIP walkway area—a narrow corridor that connects the general bar to the inner lounge and VIP seating section.
Accounts gathered from eyewitnesses indicate that the dispute started over something as simple as who should give way. One witness, who gave her name only as Bisi, said:
“The place was a bit crowded, and one of the men (now identified as Philip Ogbuehi) tried to pass through the walkway, but the other man (the victim) was standing there, possibly trying to order something or waiting for someone. Words were exchanged. Then it got physical.”
Another patron at the lounge, who requested anonymity, described the situation as escalating “faster than anyone could intervene.”
“They started insulting each other, and then Ogbuehi pushed the guy. The victim tried to hold his ground and respond. That’s when Ogbuehi landed a heavy punch to his chest. The guy collapsed immediately.”
What remains unclear is whether the two men had a prior altercation before this incident or if alcohol played a role in intensifying the tempers. Forensic toxicology reports are pending, but the nature of the environment—a bar and lounge—makes intoxication a reasonable assumption.
According to the preliminary police statement, the deceased collapsed seconds after being punched in the chest. Medics were called as lounge workers and concerned customers rushed to his aid.
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He was reportedly unresponsive by the time paramedics arrived, but efforts were made to revive him en route to a nearby hospital in Ajah. Despite the attempts, he was pronounced dead by attending doctors.
The nature of the punch and the sudden collapse have led to speculation about an underlying medical condition, such as an undiagnosed heart problem or arrhythmia, that might have contributed to the rapid fatality. However, a post-mortem examination is being conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Philip Ogbuehi was arrested at the scene by the Ogombo Division of the Lagos State Police Command. In a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspect was described as “cooperative but visibly shaken.”
“The suspect, Philip Ogbuehi, is in our custody. He claims it was not his intention to cause harm and has expressed remorse. Nonetheless, a life has been lost, and the case is being investigated as culpable homicide pending the outcome of the autopsy and DPP advice,” said SP Hundeyin.
The police have yet to charge Ogbuehi to court, noting that further inquiries are ongoing, including interviewing witnesses, obtaining surveillance footage from the lounge, and waiting for the full autopsy report.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the deceased man remains withheld. The police have confirmed that his family is yet to be fully contacted and notified in line with procedure. However, lounge staff confirmed that the victim was a “regular face” at the establishment.
One employee described him as “always quiet, mostly alone, and never causes trouble.” That image makes the violent nature of his death all the more shocking to those who knew him.
A source within the hospital that received his body said he appeared to be in his early 40s, dressed in smart-casual attire, and carried no form of identification. His body has been transferred to a government morgue pending further identification
This incident is not just about two men and a punch. It’s about a culture of unprovoked violence that has taken root in many parts of Nigerian society. From road rage on highways to bar fights and public altercations, there is a disturbing trend of people resorting to violence to settle the most trivial of disputes.
Conflict resolution has given way to confrontation. Dialogue has yielded to deadly force. Pride, ego, and intoxication often mix into an explosive cocktail in urban centers like Lagos.
According to public affairs analyst, Dr. Adedayo Kolawole, this trend is symptomatic of deeper societal issues:
“We are a society under pressure—economic stress, social insecurity, mental health breakdown. People are walking around as ticking time bombs. Add alcohol to the mix, and you have tragedies like this one.”
The challenge now lies in how to address this—through public education, better security at social venues, and stricter enforcement of laws regarding public violence.
Legal experts have weighed in on the possible charges Ogbuehi might face. According to Lagos-based criminal lawyer, Barr. Raymond Eze:
“If it is proven that the death resulted directly from the punch, then he could be charged with manslaughter or even culpable homicide not punishable by death, depending on intent. The autopsy result will be key. If the punch triggered a pre-existing condition, there may be some mitigation.”
The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) is expected to review the police file in the coming days and issue legal advice on how to proceed with the case.
As news of the incident spread, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from Nigerians appalled by the senselessness of the tragedy.
On X (formerly Twitter), user @NaijaGent lamented:
“How do you explain to a family that their son, brother, husband or father went to unwind and never came back because of a punch? Lagos is becoming too toxic.”
Another user, @MissNkechiDiva, wrote:
“RIP to the dead man. May justice be served. These lounges need to start hiring bouncers who can de-escalate situations before they turn fatal.”
Some commentators have also called for the lounge to be temporarily shut down pending investigations. The management of the lounge issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and pledging full cooperation with law enforcement.
Following the incident, footfall at the lounge reportedly dropped by nearly 60% over the next few days, with patrons either staying away in fear or in protest. This has had a ripple effect on nearby vendors and nightlife operators who rely on the crowd traffic.
“This thing has spoiled business,” said one suya seller outside the lounge. “Even on Friday, nobody came.”
The incident has sparked fresh conversations among business owners about the importance of hiring trained security personnel and implementing clear behavior policies at social venues.
The role of anger in this tragedy cannot be ignored. Whether Ogbuehi had underlying anger management issues is unclear, but the outcome points to a broader need for Nigerians to begin taking emotional regulation seriously.
Psychologist Dr. Tinuade Adeleye emphasized that society must begin to normalize seeking therapy and anger management support.
“Anger is a natural emotion, but if you don’t learn how to control it, you risk destroying lives—including your own. Sadly, we don’t talk about this enough in Nigeria.”
The events of May 6 at a lounge in Sangotedo, Lagos, remind us of the fragility of life and the heavy price of poor conflict management. A man stepped out to enjoy his evening and never returned. Another man now faces the weight of the law for a decision made in a moment of rage.
This was not a robbery. It wasn’t a gang clash. It was a simple disagreement over passage—turned fatal.
As society mourns the needless loss of life, the questions must be asked: How did we get here? What can be done to prevent the next barroom tragedy? And when will we begin to treat anger as a public health issue?
Until we find answers, one thing remains certain: No one should have to die over a walkway.
