Oyo police have made Toluwanisings’ widow, father and friends sign a peace deal to end public fights over the late singer’s burial. See what they agreed to.
The disagreement over where late gospel singer Toluwanisings should be laid to rest has now reached the police. On November 3, his wife, his father and a group of his friends sat down at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, and signed an agreement promising to stop the public back-and-forth.
Things had been getting heated for days. An earlier Pulse report said the singer’s father and widow were clashing over his burial place, with the widow refusing to allow him to be buried in the house he built. Allegations of conspiracy and defamation of character followed, and the police say they feared it could lead to a breach of the peace.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, heard about the matter on October 28 and asked everyone involved to report to the command. After the meeting, the singer’s wife, Mrs Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his father, Mr Muniru Olayemi, signed an undertaking before the commissioner. So did his friends and associates Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Comrade Lawal Ademola Rafiu. According to the police statement, his personal assistant and other representatives signed too. The statement also gave the singer’s full name as Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji
So what exactly did they agree to? They promised to keep the peace and avoid anything that could stir up more tension. They also agreed to stop public arguments and interviews about the dispute, and to stop sharing their side on social media, blogs, print, radio or any other platform. They won’t grant media access to anyone who might spread the story further. The deal covers their proxies, agents and associates as well, and each party must tell their people to stop posting or amplifying anything that could reopen the matter.
The commissioner warned that anyone whose actions amount to an offence will be arrested and prosecuted. He also cautioned against using the “unfortunate circumstances surrounding the singer’s demise” to stir up hostility or push unproven claims. The police then asked bloggers, media practitioners and the public to hold back from sharing unverified information.
Oyo State Police commande, press release
What the statement doesn’t say is where or when the burial will take place, so the main question is still open. For a family that is grieving, the real test now is whether this quiet gives them room to settle it properly.
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