A self-styled prophet in Nigeria's Oyo State, Moses Idowu, has been remanded in custody after police said he filmed the body of gospel singer Toluwanisings at a morgue while claiming he could raise him from the dead. Idowu was arraigned on four counts, including indignity to a deceased human body. The Oyo State Police Command said in a statement that Idowu went to the morgue claiming spiritual powers to bring the dead back, then recorded the body and shared the clip on social media without the family's consent.
The gospel singer, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, died in Ibadan on October 14 after reportedly slumping and was buried at his home in the city on November 9. Police say Idowu's actions subjected the remains to indignity while causing further distress to the bereaved family. Idowu is also accused of posting that the singer's wife and manager were to blame for his death, which police said he did without any substantiated evidence to support such claims.
The four counts against Idowu relate to indignity to a deceased human body, unlawful recording and publication of false information, conduct likely to breach the public peace, and defamation. The court ordered him held at a correctional centre and adjourned the case to December 2. The police statement did not say how Idowu pleaded or name a lawyer for him.
This incident is not the first time a self-styled prophet has been in trouble for making unsubstantiated claims. In 2021, the Ghana Police warned preachers that prophecies causing fear and panic could lead to arrest. In January, self-styled prophet Ebo Noah was granted bail after his failed flood prophecy.
A second man, Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, was arrested on Thursday, November 12, and arraigned on charges including publishing false news on Facebook. Police say he circulated videos blaming the singer's personal assistant and relatives for the death. His case returns to court on December 11.
The Oyo State Police Command warned social media users and content creators against circulating sensitive images of deceased persons and urged people to treat the dead with dignity. The command's statement highlights the need for respect and sensitivity when dealing with the deceased and their families.
The case against Idowu and Dunminimnun serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it online and respecting the dignity of the deceased and their families. The incident has sparked a conversation about the need for accountability and responsible social media use in Nigeria.
Key points
- Prophet Moses Idowu was remanded in custody for filming and posting the body of gospel singer Toluwanisings at a morgue.
- Idowu claimed he could raise the singer from the dead, but police say he had no evidence to support his claims.
- A second man, Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, was also arrested for circulating false news about the singer's death on Facebook.
