Popular Nigerian comedian Sanku, tragically lost his life in a ghastly car accident on September 2, 2025, while driving a loaned 2012 Lexus RX 350 SUV. The shocking revelation about the ownership and financial status of the vehicle was made by his guarantor, content creator Folorunsho Olayinka, popularly known as Finest. The disclosure has since stirred major conversations online, with many debating the issue of the unpaid balance tied to the vehicle.
According to reports, the late comedian had been financing the luxury SUV through instalments but had not fully completed payment at the time of his death. The matter has raised concerns about the financial pressures celebrities face behind the glamorous lifestyle they often portray.
Guarantor Speaks Out
In an emotional reaction to the allegations surrounding his role, Finest clarified that he was not directly involved in Sanku’s death, but only acted as a guarantor for the car deal. He stated:
“I was only a guarantor, it was because the car dealer knew me personally. I only helped him by standing in. I wasn’t the one who asked him to come to Ilorin; he was the one who insisted he needed a driver, and I provided one. After paying N7,000,000 to secure the vehicle, he began paying in instalments until he had already paid N12,280,000.
“So what would be my gain in orchestrating the death of someone who still owed around N13 million, and for whom I stood as guarantor? There is no benefit in that. I don’t even know the driver that was with him that day.
“The late Sanku was not someone whose private issues I would expose publicly. Even revealing this much is because I was accused of having a hand in his death. I have multiple voice notes where he appreciated me for being his guarantor and standing by him. The day the accident happened, I personally sent my siblings and some people who were with me on set to go to the accident scene. Even when they got to the hospital, they said treatment was delayed, and I had to send money for their treatment.”
Finest insisted strongly that his only connection to the matter was as a guarantor and that he played no role in Sanku’s tragic passing.
Dispute Over Car Payment
Contrary to Finest’s defense, a close friend of the deceased comedian, who spoke anonymously, offered a different perspective. According to him, Sanku had been under constant pressure to return the Lexus SUV and exchange it for a more affordable Nigerian-used Toyota Venza, as he still had an outstanding balance of N2.3 million on the luxury vehicle.
In a leaked WhatsApp voice note obtained by PUNCH, Sanku himself was heard lamenting how he was continuously urged to return the Lexus. He also revealed that his uncle, who serves as a policeman in Osogbo, had advised him not to agree to the exchange, warning that it might be a ploy to cheat him out of the car.
The Fatal Accident
Sanku’s life was cut short in the accident along Ogbomoso Road in Oyo State. The incident shocked the entertainment industry, with actor Yemi Elesho being among the first to confirm the heartbreaking news on social media. Fans and colleagues alike flooded online platforms with tributes, mourning the comedian’s untimely death.
Just before the tragedy, Sanku had proudly shared photos of the Lexus RX 350 on his TikTok page, captioned: “Alhamdullilah for life, congratulations Adetola,” while tagging Finest as the dealer. The post, which once symbolized joy and progress in his career, has now become a painful reminder of a life and dream cut short.
The situation continues to draw mixed reactions, with some sympathizing with the comedian’s struggles while others question the risks entertainers take in pursuing luxury lifestyles on credit.