Advertisement

Toluwanisings’ father, wife sign peace agreement over burial dispute

10

The Oyo State Police Command has intervened in the disagreement surrounding the burial arrangements of late singer Toluwanisings, obtaining a peace undertaking from his family members and associates.

Toluwanisings died on October 14, and plans for his burial have since sparked disagreements among his relatives.

His paternal family had called for a postponement of the burial pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The relatives alleged that the singer’s widow, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, wanted him buried in a cemetery, a proposal they strongly opposed.

The singer’s uncle, Lawal Rauf, said the family preferred that his remains be taken to Ikirun, Osun State, for burial beside his mother.

Rauf had threatened that the family would exhume the singer’s remains if he was buried in a cemetery, while his grandmother also threatened to place a curse on anyone who proceeded with the burial arrangement.

In a statement shared on X, the police command said the peace undertaking was signed on Tuesday, November 3, at its headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, following an invitation by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga.

The intervention was prompted by concerns over “allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace between the parties involved” and the tension generated by the dispute.

The police said all parties agreed to maintain peace, avoid public confrontations and stop granting interviews or circulating allegations and information about the matter across social media, print media, radio and other communication platforms.

“The Oyo State Police Command has successfully intervened in the dispute arising from disagreements over the burial arrangements of late Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, following concerns over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace between the parties involved,” the statement reads.

“The intervention followed information received by the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, on 28th October 2026, concerning the disagreement between the deceased’s family and associates over the proposed burial arrangements, which had generated tensions and exchanges across various public communication platforms.

“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.

“Consequently, at the conclusion of the engagement held today, 3rd November 2026, all parties, comprising the deceased’s wife, Mrs Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Mr Muniru Olayemi; his friends and associates, including Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Comrade Lawal Ademola Rafiu, as well as the deceased’s personal assistant and other representatives, entered into and signed a peace undertaking before the Commissioner of Police.

“Under the terms of the undertaking, all parties agreed to maintain peace and be of 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 unfortunate demise of the singer and related issues.

“Furthermore, the parties expressly undertook to discontinue the dissemination of information, narratives, allegations and publications relating to the matter through social media platforms, print media, radio, blogs and other communication channels, including publications made through their respective proxies, agents, associates and representatives.

“They equally agreed not to grant interviews, provide access or facilitate engagements with individuals or media platforms for the purpose of further disseminating such narratives. In addition, each party undertook to direct their respective proxies and associates to desist from making, sponsoring, amplifying or circulating publications capable of reigniting the disagreement or undermining the peace agreement.”

Olugbenga warned that anyone found violating the agreement, including the parties’ representatives and associates, or engaging in activities capable of threatening public peace would face arrest and prosecution.

He also appealed to bloggers, media professionals and members of the public to respect the agreement, avoid circulating unverified reports and refrain from actions that could escalate the disagreement.

“In reinforcing the terms of the undertaking, the Commissioner of Police warned that the agreement must be respected by all parties and extended to their proxies, agents, associates and representatives. He cautioned that no individual should take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the singer’s demise to instigate hostility, promote unsubstantiated allegations or engage in conduct capable of disrupting public peace. Any person whose actions constitute an offence under applicable laws will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement added.

“The Command therefore calls on members of the public, bloggers, media practitioners and other interested individuals to exercise restraint, respect the undertaking entered into by the parties and refrain from amplifying unverified information or publications capable of reigniting tensions. All concerned are advised to respect the commitments made by the parties, as any conduct independently amounting to a criminal offence will be addressed in accordance with the law.”

Those who signed the undertaking included the singer’s widow, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Muniru Olayemi; and his friends and associates, Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Lawal Ademola Rafiu.