Parties agree to end media interviews, social media exchanges and public allegations following intervention by Commissioner of PoliceOyo State Police Command has brokered peace between the family, widow and associates of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, following the controversy surrounding his burial arrangements.
The intervention culminated in the signing of a peace undertaking by the parties on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, with all sides agreeing to stop public exchanges capable of escalating the disagreement.
The development marks a significant turn in the dispute, which had generated widespread reactions on social media following disagreements over where the singer should be buried and demands by members of his paternal family for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the intervention followed information received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, on October 28 concerning allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
According to the statement, the Commissioner directed that all parties be invited to the Command Headquarters to prevent further escalation and facilitate an amicable resolution.
Those who participated in the meeting included the deceased’s wife, Mrs Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Mr Muniru Olayemi; and associates, including Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Comrade Lawal Ademola Rafiu.
The singer’s personal assistant and other representatives were also part of the engagement, which ended with the parties signing an undertaking before the Commissioner of Police.
Under the agreement, all parties pledged to maintain peace, conduct themselves responsibly and refrain from actions capable of disturbing public order or worsening the existing disagreement.
They also agreed to discontinue public interviews, discussions and exchanges relating to the controversy through social media, blogs, radio, print media and other communication channels.
Police Warn Against Further Public Exchanges
The undertaking further prohibits the parties from using proxies, agents, associates or representatives to circulate allegations, narratives or publications capable of reigniting the disagreement.
They also agreed not to grant interviews, facilitate media engagements or provide access to individuals and platforms for the purpose of further disseminating contentious accounts surrounding the singer’s death and burial.
The Commissioner of Police reportedly warned that the agreement must be respected by everyone involved, including their associates and representatives.
He cautioned against exploiting the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death to promote hostility, circulate unsubstantiated allegations or undermine the peace agreement.
The police also warned that anyone whose conduct independently constitutes an offence under applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
How the Toluwanisings’ Burial Controversy Started
The latest development follows days of public disagreement after Toluwanisings died on October 14, 2026, leaving behind his wife, two daughters, relatives, friends and members of the gospel music community.
As previously reported by TrendscopeNews, the disagreement became public following differences between the singer’s widow and his paternal family over his final resting place.
His father, Muniru Olayemi, had reportedly expressed a preference for burying his son at the house he built in Ibadan or, alternatively, in Ikirun, Osun State, beside his late mother.
His widow was reportedly uncomfortable with the proposed arrangements and preferred a cemetery or church burial, according to accounts attributed to family members in earlier media reports.
The disagreement subsequently widened beyond the burial location, with members of the singer’s paternal family calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his sudden death before his remains could be interred.
His personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, had also given an account of the singer’s final moments, including claims that he slumped and was taken to several hospitals in Ibadan in search of medical assistance.
However, the circumstances surrounding his death have not been conclusively established in the reports reviewed, while the competing positions of the parties generated considerable public debate.
The controversy also brought questions about the future of the singer’s residential property, the interests of his widow and children, family traditions and the rights of relatives into the wider conversation.
Police Appeal to Bloggers, Media Practitioners
Following the peace agreement, the Oyo Police Command appealed to bloggers, journalists, social media users and other interested members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid circulating unverified information capable of reopening the dispute.
The Command urged everyone to respect the commitments made by the parties and allow the matter to be addressed through peaceful and lawful channels.
It also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining public order across Oyo State.
Although the agreement represents an important step towards ending the public confrontation, it does not, in itself, establish the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death or announce a final resolution of the burial arrangements.
For the bereaved family, the immediate expectation will be that the agreement provides room for a more peaceful handling of the outstanding issues without further public confrontation.
Toluwanisings’ death had already left a painful void in the gospel music community. The latest intervention by the police now places responsibility on the parties and their supporters to respect the agreement and allow the deceased to be remembered with dignity.
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