The Oyo State Police Command has arraigned two men over the unauthorised recording and distribution of the remains of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, and separate social media posts alleging that members of his family were responsible for his death.
The command announced the development in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
One of the suspects, Prophet Moses Idowu, was arrested after visiting the morgue where the singer’s body was kept. He reportedly claimed to have spiritual powers capable of bringing a dead person back to life.
The police said, “In the course of the incident, the suspect recorded a video of the deceased’s body and subsequently circulated the footage on social media without the consent or authorisation of the deceased’s family, thereby subjecting the remains to indignity and causing further distress to the bereaved family.”
The command further alleged that Idowu published claims accusing the singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his manager of causing his death, “without any substantiated evidence to support such claims”.
Idowu was subsequently arraigned on four counts relating to the unlawful recording and publication of false information, defamation, indignity to a deceased human body and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court ordered that he be remanded at the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until December 2, 2026, for further proceedings.
Second suspect arraigned over social media publications
In a separate development, the police said they arrested another suspect, Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, on Thursday, November 12, over alleged false and defamatory social media publications.
According to the command, Dunminimnun circulated videos accusing the deceased’s personal assistant and family members of being responsible for his death.
The police said investigations showed that he continued making the publications despite knowing that the parties involved had signed an undertaking prohibiting individuals from publishing material about the deceased through print or other media.
The command added that the posts continued despite “several warnings and cautions issued by both the family and the Police against the circulation of unverified information”.
Dunminimnun was arraigned on charges bordering on the publication of false news on Facebook, unlawful publication of defamatory material and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court adjourned his case until December 11, 2026, for further proceedings.
The police expressed concern over the spread of unverified allegations and sensitive images on social media, particularly in cases involving deaths and grieving families.
“The command cautions members of the public, social media users and content creators against using digital platforms to spread false information, circulate sensitive images of deceased persons or make reckless allegations against individuals without credible evidence,” the statement said.
The command urged the public to uphold the dignity of deceased persons, show consideration for bereaved families and allow established investigative and judicial procedures to determine the circumstances surrounding suspicious deaths.
Background to Toluwanisings’ death
Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly collapsing.
His death attracted public attention after his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, alleged that several hospitals refused to admit the singer while efforts were being made to obtain emergency medical care.
The singer was buried at his residence in Ibadan on November 9 at a private ceremony attended by a small number of guests.
His burial followed weeks of disagreement between his father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, and his widow over where he should be laid to rest.
His father had reportedly wanted him buried either at a house he built or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State.