Fresh Voice Notes Reignite Family Dispute After Gospel Singer Toluwanisings’ Burial

Fresh voice recordings allegedly involving late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, and members of his family have surfaced online, reigniting controversy days after his burial.

One of the recordings, shared by social media personality Yinka TNT, allegedly captured the singer expressing frustration over repeated financial demands from members of his maternal family.

In the recording, Toluwanisings reportedly referred to requests for N6m and N12m, saying the demands were affecting his plans to establish a business for his wife.

“If anybody says I have not done enough, God will judge that person. The mother told me that I am not God and that he should not beg me again. I don’t have anything to do with his school fees again,” he reportedly said.

The singer also allegedly complained that money he had planned to give his wife to start a business was being withheld because of the requests.

“The least money he is asking for is 6 million; I have to put off the money I’m supposed to give to my wife to start her business all because of Taye,” he said.

Relatives Respond to Allegations

The recording generated reactions on social media, with some users expressing sympathy for the widow and questioning the financial demands allegedly made by the singer’s relatives.

Another voice note, purportedly featuring the mother of a relative identified as Taye, later emerged. In the recording, the woman reportedly defended her family and accused the late singer of being ungrateful despite the assistance they had allegedly provided.

“Have you forgotten all that I have done for you? Who is teaching you all this you are saying?” she was heard asking.

Another relative, Taiwo Olawoyin, also responded to the controversy, denying claims that he received money from the singer as a gift or influenced his decision not to establish a business for his wife.

Olawoyin said he received only £160 from his brother while living in the United Kingdom and questioned the claims being circulated.

“Ever since I have been in the UK, I have never been entitled to everything my brother gave me. He gave me £160. Where is this coming from? Why is she making up lies?” he said.

He maintained that the decision not to establish a business for the widow was made by the late singer himself.

“Your husband did not open shop for you, not because of me. Your husband decided not to do all the stuff for you,” Olawoyin added.

He also denied being an obstacle to his brother’s career or financial progress, claiming that Toluwanisings had built houses, organised shows and bought and sold cars without his interference.

Olawoyin further insisted that the money he received from the singer was a loan he intended to repay.

“This guy and I started from nothing, sharing one fish between us. Where was she then? So, if I asked my brother for money, I deserved it. Besides, I was not asking him for money as a gift; I borrowed it, and I am going to pay it back,” he said.

Gospel Singer Apologises Over N6m Fundraising

The controversy also attracted a response from gospel singer Lanre Alewilese, who apologised to the widow over a N6m fundraising effort he organised to support the tuition of the UK-based relative.

Alewilese said he acted based on the information available to him at the time but later realised that the circumstances were different from what he had understood.

Family Disagreement Preceded Singer’s Burial

The latest development comes days after Toluwanisings was buried at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, following weeks of disagreement between his widow, Elizabeth Olayemi, and members of his family over where he should be laid to rest.

The burial took place on Monday after a service at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, Alakia, Ibadan. His remains were subsequently taken to his residence for interment.

His family, particularly his father, Muniru Olayemi, had opposed a cemetery burial, insisting that the singer should be buried at his residence or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State.

The Oyo State Police Command later intervened, leading to a peace undertaking signed by the parties before the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, on November 3. They agreed to maintain peace and avoid further public exchanges.

However, the emergence of the alleged recordings has reopened the family dispute, shifting public attention from the disagreement over the singer’s burial to his reported financial dealings and relationships with relatives.

Punch Newspapers