OYO POLICE ARRAIGN TWO OVER FILMING, CIRCULATION OF TOLUANISINGS’ CORPSE VIDEO

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Oyo State Police Command has arraigned two men over the unauthorised recording and circulation of the corpse of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluanisings, as well as separate social media publications accusing members of his family of being responsible for his death.

The command disclosed this in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Friday.

One of the suspects, Prophet Moses Idowu, was arrested after visiting the morgue where the singer’s corpse was kept, claiming to possess spiritual powers to resurrect a deceased person.

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 added that Idowu also allegedly published claims accusing the singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his manager of being responsible for his death, “without any substantiated evidence to support such claims”.

He was subsequently arraigned on four counts bordering on 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 Idowu be remanded at the Correctional Centre, while the case was adjourned until December 2, 2026, for further proceedings.

In a related development, the command said it arrested another suspect, Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, on Thursday, November 12, over alleged false and defamatory publications on social media.

According to the police, Dunminimnun circulated videos accusing the deceased’s personal assistant and family members of being responsible for his death.

The command said investigations revealed that the suspect continued making the publications despite being aware of an undertaking signed by concerned parties, which restrained individuals from making publications about the deceased through print or other media.

It added that the publications persisted 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 matter and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The court adjourned his case until December 11, 2026, for further proceedings.

The command expressed concern over the circulation 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.

It urged members of the public to respect the dignity of the dead, show consideration for bereaved families and allow established investigative and judicial processes to determine issues surrounding suspicious deaths.

Toluwanisings died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026, after reportedly slumping.

His death generated public concern following claims by his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, that several hospitals declined to admit him while efforts were being made to secure emergency medical attention.

His remains were buried at his residence in Ibadan on November 9, in a private ceremony attended by a few guests.

The burial followed weeks of disagreement between his father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, and his widow over his final resting place.

His father had reportedly preferred that he be buried either at a house he built or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State.