Police in Oyo have brokered peace between the family and associates of late gospel singer, Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, following disagreements over his burial arrangements.
According to the police, the parties signed a peace undertaking on Tuesday at its headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, after being invited by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga.
Police intervention followed concerns over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace amid public exchanges over the singer’s death and burial.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, with the family and associates of late singer Toluwanisings after they signed a peace undertaking in Ibadan….Photo Credit: Oyo Police Command
State Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the Commissioner of Police received information about the disagreement on October 28, involving the singer’s family and associates over the proposed burial arrangements.
The statement partly read, “In view of the potential implications of the disagreement for public peace and order, the Commissioner of Police, exercising his statutory responsibilities under Section 4 of the Police Act and other relevant provisions of the law, directed that all parties be invited to the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, for an intervention aimed at preventing further escalation and facilitating an amicable resolution.”
The parties who signed the undertaking included the singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Muniru Olayemi; and his friends and associates, Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Lawal Ademola Rafiu.
ToluwaniSing’s personal assistant and other representatives were also present.
The disagreement had centred on where the late singer should be buried.
Father of late gospel singer Toluwanisings during the signing of a peace undertaking at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters…Photo Credit: Oyo Police Command
His father had reportedly proposed that he be buried at the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State, while his wife was said to have opposed the idea of burying him in their home.
Police said the parties agreed to maintain peace and good behaviour, refrain from actions capable of causing a breach of the peace and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and discussions that could worsen the disagreement.
It added, “Under the terms of the undertaking, all parties agreed to maintain peace and be of good behaviour, refrain from any act capable of causing a breach of the peace, and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and discussions capable of inflaming tensions or aggravating the existing disagreement surrounding the unfortunate demise of the singer and related issues.”
The police further stated that the parties also agreed to stop circulating information, allegations and publications about the matter through social media, print media, radio, blogs and other communication channels.
The undertaking further requires them to ensure that their proxies, agents, associates and representatives do not make, sponsor, amplify or circulate publications capable of reigniting the dispute.
Oyo Commissioner of Police warned that the agreement must be respected by all parties and those acting on their behalf.
“No individual should take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the singer’s demise to instigate hostility, promote unsubstantiated allegations or engage in conduct capable of disrupting public peace,” the statement quoted the police commissioner as saying.
It further warned that anyone whose actions constituted an offence under applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
Police also appealed to members of the public, bloggers and media practitioners to exercise restraint and avoid amplifying unverified information capable of reigniting tensions.
Recall that Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping. His death generated controversy over allegations that about eight hospitals rejected him away while efforts were being made to obtain emergency medical attention.
His personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, had alleged that the singer was taken to seven or eight hospitals before his death. But the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said from its record, the singer was never brought to the hospital.
