Toluwanisings’ Death: Hospital Rejection Claims, Burial Dispute and Legal Threats Emerge

The death of Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has sparked controversy over alleged hospital rejection, a reported disagreement between his father and widow over burial arrangements, and legal threats against individuals linking other gospel artistes to his death.

Toluwanisings reportedly died on October 14 after slumping at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. His personal assistant, Babadunni Olayemi, claimed that efforts to save the singer involved taking him to between seven and eight hospitals, some of which allegedly failed to provide treatment.

However, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said it had no official record indicating that the singer was brought to the facility for treatment. The hospital also stated that its services had resumed after resident doctors suspended their warning strike.

The allegations have renewed concerns about access to emergency medical care in Nigeria. However, the reports available do not establish the full sequence of events surrounding the singer’s final hours or an official medical cause of death.

The controversy has also drawn in fellow gospel artistes Tope Alabi, Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli. Their legal representatives have threatened action against individuals allegedly spreading claims connecting the artistes to Toluwanisings’ death.

Alabi’s lawyers reportedly issued a cease-and-desist notice demanding that the disputed publications be removed, retracted and followed by an apology. They described the allegations against their client as false and defamatory. Lawyers representing Woli Agba and Dele Omo Woli also warned against publishing or circulating unverified claims about their alleged involvement.

The legal representatives cautioned that people who repost or amplify defamatory allegations could face legal consequences, depending on the circumstances. No finding establishing wrongdoing by the named artistes was provided in the report.

Meanwhile, a reported disagreement between Toluwanisings’ father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, and the singer’s widow has raised questions about his burial arrangements. His father reportedly favoured burying him at a house he built or taking his remains to Ikirun, Osun State, where he could be laid to rest beside his late mother.

The widow was reported to favour a cemetery or church burial, although her full account of the disagreement was not included in the report.

As attention remains focused on the singer’s death, the hospital allegations, legal warnings and reported family disagreement continue to attract public interest. Further clarification from the relevant parties would help establish the outstanding details surrounding the case.