Toluwanisings’ Death: Family Demands Probe as Burial Dispute Deepens

The family of late Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, as disagreements over his burial arrangements deepen.

 

The development has brought the singer’s paternal relatives and widow, Akanbi Elizabeth, into a dispute over where he should be laid to rest, with his grandmother insisting that he should be buried in the house he built rather than in a cemetery.

 

Toluwanisings reportedly died in October 2026 after collapsing at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. However, his family has said the cause of his death has not been established publicly and is demanding an investigation before the burial takes place.

 

According to a report by Premium Times published on Tuesday, October 27, the singer’s uncle, Lawal Ademola, popularly known as Up Lawal, said the family had decided to suspend the burial arrangements until the circumstances surrounding the death were clarified.

 

Speaking in an interview with Dunmininu Kingdom, the uncle appealed to the government and relevant authorities to investigate the death, insisting that the family wanted answers rather than taking the law into its own hands.

 

He said the family was prepared to continue paying the mortuary bills while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

 

The uncle also stated that the family had informed musicians about the decision to suspend the burial arrangements.

 

Grandmother insists on home burial

Adding to the controversy, Toluwanisings’ paternal grandmother, Sabitiyu Olayemi, has publicly opposed the idea of burying him in a cemetery or beside his late mother.

 

In a social media interview with journalist Dunmininu in Osun State, the elderly woman said her preference was for her grandson to be buried in the house he built.

 

She also alleged that she had not seen him for more than five years and claimed that his financial support to her was limited.

 

According to a report by Vanguard, the grandmother said she had helped care for the singer and his mother before he moved to Lagos but was unaware that he had built a house or held a housewarming ceremony.

 

She recalled that Toluwanisings once visited her with his wife and their first child but alleged that they subsequently lost contact for years.

 

The grandmother further claimed that he sent her ₦10,000 on about three occasions after she complained about his absence but did not continue supporting her.

 

Despite expressing disappointment over their relationship, she said his death had deeply affected her.

 

She maintained that he should be buried at his residence and not beside his mother.

 

The allegations about their relationship and financial support remain the grandmother’s account and have not been independently established.

 

Uncle raises concerns, calls for investigation

The singer’s uncle also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death, recounting his visit to the late singer’s residence with other relatives.

 

According to the account published by Premium Times, Ademola alleged that he was troubled by what he observed during the visit and questioned the circumstances surrounding the family’s handling of the situation.

 

He further alleged that the widow rejected the proposal to bury the singer at his residence.

 

The uncle claimed that he subsequently suggested Ikirun, the family’s hometown, as an alternative, but said the proposal was also rejected.

 

He alleged that the widow told him she could not bear to see her husband’s grave at the property and that the distance to Ikirun was another concern.

 

The uncle’s account has not independently established wrongdoing by the widow or anyone else.

 

Although he called for an investigation, no conclusion about the cause of death or the involvement of any individual should be drawn from the allegations alone.

 

Widow mourns husband at tribute night

Amid the dispute, the singer’s widow, Akanbi Elizabeth, broke down in tears while paying tribute to her husband at a memorial event held at Jogor Centre in Ibadan on Tuesday.

 

In a video from the event, the widow struggled to complete her tribute before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

 

“Toluwanisings, my dear husband. I will forever miss you. Please do not forget your children and I,” she said.

 

Several gospel artistes attended the tribute night, including Adeyinka Alaseyori, Esther Igbekele, Laolu Gbenjo, Bidemi Olaoba, Peterson Okopi and Sarah Apekeola. Actress Bimbo Oshin was also among those present.

 

The emotional tribute came as the dispute over the singer’s burial arrangements continued to attract public attention.

 

Burial plans remain a subject of disagreement

The competing positions have left the family facing two major questions: where Toluwanisings should be buried and whether the circumstances surrounding his death should be investigated before his burial.

 

While his paternal relatives have expressed a preference for a burial at his residence or in Ikirun, his grandmother has specifically insisted that he should be laid to rest in the house he built.

 

The uncle has maintained that the burial should not proceed until the cause of death is established.

 

However, the available reports do not establish that authorities have completed an investigation or publicly determined the cause of death.

 

The dispute also raises questions about how the family and the widow will resolve their differences over the final arrangements for the late singer.

 

As of Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the family’s demand for an investigation and the disagreement over the burial location remained central to the unfolding controversy.