Oyo Police Arraign Two Over Toluwanisings’ Death Controversy

The Oyo State Police Command has arraigned two men over alleged unlawful publications, defamation and acts considered to have subjected the remains of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, to indignity.

The suspects, identified as Prophet Moses Idowu and Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, were arraigned separately following investigations into videos and social media publications containing unsubstantiated allegations about the singer’s death and members of his family.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said Idowu was arrested after allegedly visiting a morgue where the singer’s corpse was kept, claiming to possess spiritual powers to resurrect the deceased.

According to the police, the suspect recorded the singer’s body and circulated the footage on social media without the consent or authorisation of the family.

Idowu was also accused of publishing allegations that the deceased’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his manager were responsible for his death, without providing substantiated evidence.

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

In a related development, the police arrested Dunminimnun on November 12 over alleged false and defamatory publications on social media.

He was accused of circulating videos alleging that the singer’s personal assistant and family members were responsible for his death.

The command said investigations indicated that the suspect continued making the publications despite an undertaking signed by concerned parties restricting public statements and publications about the deceased.

Dunminimnun was arraigned on charges bordering on publishing false news on Facebook, unlawful publication of defamatory material and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. His case was adjourned until December 11, 2026.

The police cautioned social media users and content creators against spreading unverified information, circulating sensitive images of deceased persons and making allegations against individuals without credible evidence.

The command acknowledged the public’s right to freedom of expression but stressed that it must be exercised responsibly and within the law.

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 address matters surrounding suspicious deaths.

The allegations against both suspects remain subject to judicial determination.

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