Oyo Police Broker Peace Over Toluwanisings’ Burial Dispute
The Oyo State Police Command has mediated a peace agreement between the family and associates of the late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings, following a dispute over his burial arrangements. The parties signed a peace undertaking on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, after being invited by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga.
The police intervention was prompted by concerns over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace, amid public exchanges surrounding the singer’s death and burial. According to a statement issued and signed by the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, the Commissioner of Police received information about the disagreement on October 28 involving the singer’s family and associates over the proposed burial arrangements.
In view of the potential implications of the disagreement for public peace and order, the commissioner, 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 for an intervention aimed at preventing further escalation and facilitating an amicable resolution.
Parties Who Signed the Undertaking
Those 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. His personal assistant and other representatives were also present.
The disagreement had centred on where the singer should be buried. His father 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.
Terms of the Peace Agreement
Under the terms of the undertaking, all parties agreed to maintain peace and 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 singer’s death and related issues.
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.
The Commissioner of Police warned that the agreement must be respected by all parties and those acting on their behalf. He cautioned that no individual should take advantage of the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death to instigate hostility, promote unsubstantiated allegations or engage in conduct capable of disrupting public peace. Anyone whose actions constituted an offence under applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted, the statement added.
The command also appealed to members of the public, bloggers and media practitioners to exercise restraint and avoid amplifying unverified information capable of reigniting tensions.
Background to the Dispute
Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping. His death generated controversy over allegations that several hospitals turned 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. The University College Hospital, Ibadan, however, said it had no record confirming that he was brought to the facility.
The signing of the undertaking marks an effort by the police to restore calm and ensure that the burial arrangements proceed without further public confrontation among the parties involved.
