The family of late gospel singer Omije Ojumi has spoken out to clarify the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of burial rites earlier proposed by some of her colleagues, firmly rejecting what it described as misleading narratives circulating on social media.
Speaking during a service of songs and artistes’ night held in Lagos on Wednesday, the singer’s brother-in-law, Mr Femi Eretan, appealed to the public to disregard online speculation and allow the deceased to be laid to rest with dignity and peace.
Eretan explained that the family decided to independently handle Omije Ojumi’s burial after disagreements emerged with members of the gospel music community who had initially volunteered to organise the rites. He dismissed claims of internal family conflict, stressing that the family remains united and composed despite the emotional weight of the loss.
“Many people are crying more than the bereaved,” he said, countering reports suggesting disunity within the family.
According to Eretan, immediately after the singer’s death, the family reached out to relatives from both her paternal and maternal sides, as well as respected elders within the community. He noted that the family head, Mr Wale Akinaanu, initially agreed to the proposal for a burial within one week, citing his fragile health, the emotional strain of the moment, and the desire to avoid prolonged storage of the singer’s remains in the morgue.
However, further family deliberations led to a change of position. Eretan said the family concluded that Omije Ojumi—who is survived by a husband and children, and whose parents are deceased—deserved a more carefully planned and dignified burial conducted by her immediate family.
He disclosed that efforts to explain the family’s position to the artistes’ spokesperson who had volunteered to coordinate the burial were unsuccessful, as a request for a phone conversation was allegedly declined. Eretan added that a separate attempt to engage an elderly member of the group also failed, claiming the individual told him, “If it is about Omije Ojumi, I am not interested.”
With communication breaking down, Eretan said the family was left with no alternative but to take full responsibility for the burial arrangements.
He also condemned a video circulated by a self-acclaimed prophet, which allegedly accused the family of publicly soliciting funds and seeking intervention from gospel artistes to conduct the burial. Eretan described the claim as false and warned that legal action would follow if no evidence is presented.
“I am from Ondo State and I understand the rudiments of the law. Anyone who claims the family begged for burial funds must provide proof,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Eretan expressed gratitude to gospel artistes and well-wishers who honoured Omije Ojumi in their personal capacities and attended the service of songs, although reports indicate that only a few guest artistes were present at the Lagos event.
