Toluwanisings’ final resting place, property tear family, wife apart

…Colleagues hold Service of Songs in Ibadan

By Segun Adebayo

Fresh uncertainty surrounds the burial of popular gospel artist Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji (Toluwanisings), even following a Tuesday service of songs at Ibadan’s Jogor Centre.

A bitter dispute between the singer’s widow, Elizabeth Akanbi, and his paternal relatives has derailed funeral plans, with the family calling for an official inquiry into his passing and demanding the interment be suspended indefinitely.

While Tuesday’s Service of Songs provided an opportunity for colleagues and admirers to celebrate the singer’s life and musical contributions, the disagreement over his burial and the family’s demand for an investigation have complicated the funeral arrangements for the singer.

At the centre of the dispute are the family’s preference for a burial at the singer’s Ibadan residence, the widow’s reported opposition to the arrangement, and concerns about how the decision could affect her and their two daughters.

In a significant development on Monday, October 26, the singer’s paternal uncle, Lawal Ademola, popularly known as Up Lawal, called for an impartial investigation into his death.

Speaking in an interview with Dunmininu Kingdom, Ademola appealed to the government, community leaders and law enforcement authorities to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

He also cautioned against interference, insisting that the process should be conducted fairly and without shielding anyone from scrutiny.

Findings by Per Second News revealed that the family had decided to suspend the burial pending an investigation and was prepared to continue paying mortuary expenses while awaiting further developments.

The demand has shifted attention beyond the burial arrangements to questions about what happened during the singer’s final hours.

As of Tuesday, October 27, no official finding establishing the cause of Toluwanisings’ death had been made public in the information available to PSN.

It was gathered that the singer’s father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, favours burying his son at the house he built in Ibadan, where the singer lived with his wife and children.

He has also proposed Ikirun, Osun State, as an alternative, suggesting that his son could be buried beside his late mother.

Olayemi reportedly described his son as a supportive member of the family and said the proposed home burial would be a fitting way to honour their relationship.

He also recalled that the singer had promised to assist one of his younger half-siblings shortly before his death.

According to accounts attributed to relatives, the widow prefers a cemetery or church burial.

The father further claimed that she was uncomfortable with the idea of continuing to live in a house where her husband had been buried and considered Ikirun too far away.

However, the widow’s full account of the discussions has not been independently established.

Her reasons for opposing the proposed arrangements remain unclear beyond statements attributed to her by relatives.

The Ibadan house has become another major point of contention because of its potential value to the singer’s surviving family.

For supporters of the widow, the property could provide financial security for her and the couple’s two daughters, particularly if it represents a significant portion of the family’s assets.

Popular perfumer Wale Jana, reacting to the controversy on Instagram, argued that the house should remain an investment capable of supporting the children as they grow older.

He suggested that burying the singer within the premises could complicate future decisions to rent out the property, convert it into apartments or sell it.

Actress Kudirat Ogunro, popularly known as Kudi Alagbo, also expressed reservations about burying people within residential properties, raising concerns about the implications for future occupants and potential buyers.

For the singer’s paternal relatives, however, the proposed home burial has been presented as a way of honouring their son and brother.

PSN could not independently establish that the family was motivated by financial interests. Suggestions that either party is acting out of ulterior motives remain speculation.

The controversy has generated sharply contrasting reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the widow’s reported opposition to a home burial and others arguing that her concerns deserve serious consideration.

On X, a user identified as Akwaugo, who posts as @TalkswithAkwa, questioned the widow’s reported objection to the burial at the residence while continuing to benefit from the properties and other assets her husband left behind.

Another user, Mum Zee, posting as @_DebbieOA, questioned whether the widow intended to sell the house, although no evidence was presented to substantiate the suggestion.

Other commentators have focused on the possible consequences of a burial within the residence, particularly for the widow and her children.

Some entertainers mentioned in online allegations have reportedly challenged the claims through their solicitors, warning against the circulation of statements they consider defamatory.

Establishing what happened will require credible evidence and, where appropriate, an impartial investigation rather than conclusions drawn from online speculation.

The proposed burial at the Ibadan residence has also prompted questions about the legal requirements for interring a deceased person on residential property.

A social media user identified as Foundational Nupe Lawyer argued that burying someone on such premises without the required approval could contravene applicable regulations.

However, PSN has not independently verified the specific legal requirements governing the proposed burial site.

The parties would need to consider the applicable laws, the circumstances of the property and their respective interests before proceeding with an arrangement that could create further conflict.

Questions about Toluwanisings’ personal history have also resurfaced since his death.

While some reports initially put his age at 41, findings by PSN revealed that his father disputed the figure, insisting that the singer was 34 and had been born in July 1992.

The father reportedly said his son was initially named Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle before embracing Christianity and becoming known to gospel music audiences as Toluwanisings.

He also recounted that the singer’s mother died when he was about six months old and that maternal relatives subsequently played a role in raising him.

For now, the Service of Songs has come and gone, but the questions surrounding Toluwanisings’ final resting place and the future of his property continue to cast a shadow over the family’s mourning.