The Oyo State Police Command has intervened in the burial dispute involving the family and associates of late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, with the parties signing a peace undertaking.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, following an intervention by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, to prevent further escalation of the disagreement surrounding the singer’s burial arrangements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the commissioner received information about the dispute on October 28, involving the singer’s family and associates.
The disagreement reportedly raised concerns over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace.
According to the command, the commissioner directed that the parties be invited to the headquarters to resolve their differences amicably and prevent the situation from escalating.
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The statement 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.”
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Those who signed the peace 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 dispute reportedly centred on where the late singer should be buried. His father had expressed a preference for burying him at a house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State, while his wife was reportedly opposed to the idea of burying him at their residence.
Under the peace undertaking, the parties agreed to maintain peace and good behaviour, avoid actions capable of disrupting public order and stop public exchanges that could worsen the disagreement.
The police said the parties also agreed to discontinue interviews, discussions and other public engagements capable of inflaming tensions surrounding the singer’s death and burial arrangements.
The statement added that they had agreed to stop circulating allegations, information and publications about the matter through social media, print media, radio, blogs and other communication platforms.
The undertaking also prohibits the parties from using their representatives, associates or agents to sponsor, amplify or circulate publications capable of reigniting the dispute.
The Commissioner of Police warned all parties to comply with the agreement, stressing that no one should exploit the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death to provoke hostility or spread unsubstantiated allegations.
The command further warned that anyone whose actions violated applicable laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
It also appealed to members of the public, bloggers and media practitioners to exercise restraint and avoid spreading unverified information capable of worsening tensions between the parties.
Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping. His death sparked public concern over claims that several hospitals turned him away while efforts were being made to secure emergency medical attention.
His personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, had alleged that the singer was taken to seven or eight hospitals before his death.
However, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said it had no record confirming that the singer was brought to the facility.
The burial disagreement subsequently attracted public attention, with members of the singer’s family and associates expressing differing positions on where he should be laid to rest.
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