The Oyo State Police Command has intervened in a dispute between the family and associates of late Nigerian gospel singer, Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, over his burial arrangements. The parties signed a peace undertaking at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, following an invitation by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga. This move aims to prevent further escalation of the disagreement.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, the commissioner received information about the disagreement on October 28, involving the singer's family and associates. The police considered the disagreement a potential threat to public peace and directed that the parties be invited to the command headquarters for an intervention. The intervention was carried out in line with the commissioner's statutory responsibilities under Section 4 of the Police Act and other relevant provisions of the law.
Those who signed the peace undertaking included the singer's wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Muniru Olayemi; and three of his friends and associates, Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo, and Lawal Ademola Rafiu. The singer's personal assistant and other representatives also attended the meeting. The agreement aims to maintain peace and prevent further public exchanges over the singer's death and burial.
The disagreement reportedly centred on where the late singer should be buried, with his father and wife holding different positions on the proposed burial arrangements. His father reportedly wanted him buried at the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State. However, his wife opposed the proposal to bury him at their home, resulting in disagreements that later became a subject of public discussion.
Under the peace undertaking, the parties agreed to maintain peace, exhibit good behaviour, and refrain from any action capable of causing a breach of the peace. They also agreed to discontinue public exchanges, interviews, and discussions capable of aggravating the disagreement surrounding the singer's death and related issues. The police further said the parties undertook to stop circulating information, allegations, and publications about the matter through social media and other communication platforms.
The Commissioner of Police warned all parties to respect the agreement, stressing that nobody should exploit the circumstances surrounding the singer's death to promote hostility or spread unsubstantiated allegations. The command also warned that anyone whose actions constitute an offence under applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted. The police appealed to members of the public, bloggers, and media practitioners to exercise restraint and avoid amplifying unverified information that could reignite tensions between the parties.
Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping, triggering widespread reactions and controversy over the circumstances surrounding his death. The controversy intensified following allegations that several hospitals allegedly refused to attend to him while efforts were being made to obtain emergency medical attention. The allegations surrounding the reported difficulties in securing medical attention, alongside the disagreement over his burial arrangements, have continued to attract public attention.
Key points
- Oyo State Police Command brokers peace between Toluwanisings' family and associates
- Parties agree to maintain peace and discontinue public exchanges
- Commissioner of Police warns against further escalation and exploitation of the situation
