Toluwanisings’ Burial Faces Fresh Uncertainty as Family Demands Probe Into Death

The family of late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, known professionally as Toluwanisings, has appealed to the government, members of the public and religious leaders to support an investigation into his death before his burial proceeds.

The appeal was made by Lawal Rauf, an uncle of the deceased, who said members of the singer’s father’s family had rejected the proposed Wednesday burial.

According to Rauf, the family wants the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death examined before any decision is made to lay him to rest.

“We don’t want him to be buried on Wednesday as they planned to. Everyone from his father’s family has agreed to this. We want people to help us in doing investigations into his death,” he said in a statement.

The development comes as a memorial service for Toluwanisings is scheduled to hold on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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The gospel singer died on October 14, prompting an outpouring of reactions from fans and members of the Christian music community.

His burial arrangements have since become contentious, with his widow and his father reportedly holding different views about where he should be buried.

His wife had favoured a cemetery or church-owned burial ground, citing concerns about living in a house where her husband was buried.

His father, meanwhile, had previously said he preferred that his son be buried at their family home or in their village, where the singer’s mother was laid to rest.

In the latest statement, Rauf said the family wanted the singer buried at his home in Ibadan, where his wife currently lives, whenever the burial takes place.

The competing preferences have added to the uncertainty surrounding the final arrangements for the late singer.

Rauf urged relevant authorities and religious leaders to help ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.

The family’s position has raised questions about how the burial arrangements will proceed, with the proposed date facing opposition from the father’s relatives.