The uncle of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as ToluwaniSings, has called on the government, community leaders and law enforcement authorities to ensure an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The man, identified as Lawal Ademola, made the appeal during an interview with Dunmininu Kingdom, which was shared on Facebook on Monday. He warned against interference, victimisation or any attempt to conceal information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
Ademola, who said he represented the singer’s family, urged the relevant authorities to ensure that all parties connected to the incident were treated fairly and that the investigation was allowed to proceed without bias.
“Please help us, our elders, as we seek a proper investigation into the death of Sodiq. You who are the government, our leaders, and the law, please enforce the law and empower the investigation so that there won’t be biased judgments or victimisation.
“Nobody should interfere or try to cover things up regarding Sodiq, because this has deeply affected us,” he said.
The deceased was also known as Sodiq, the name he was given at birth in his Muslim family.
Uncle recounts visit to singer’s residence
In a separate account, Ademola narrated his experience during a visit to the singer’s residence in Ibadan, where he said he arrived with six other family members from Ikirun at about 9:30 a.m.
According to him, they met the singer’s wife’s mother, her sisters, the singer’s personal assistant and an aunt of the deceased at the residence.
He claimed he was surprised to find some of those present watching television and eating, alleging that the atmosphere did not reflect the grief he expected following the singer’s death.
Ademola said the experience prompted him to question the singer’s wife about whether her husband had actually died.
He further alleged that he requested to see the singer’s body at the morgue, but his request was initially refused by the personal assistant.
According to him, he contacted other members of the family, who advised him to insist on seeing the body. He claimed the personal assistant eventually agreed to take them to the morgue, where he examined the deceased.
The allegations were made by Ademola during the interview and have not been independently verified.
Disagreement over burial arrangements
The uncle also disclosed that disagreements arose between him and the singer’s wife over where the deceased should be buried.
He said he initially proposed that ToluwaniSings be buried at the residence where he lived with his wife and children. However, he claimed the wife opposed the suggestion, saying she would find it emotionally difficult to see her husband’s grave at the house, particularly with the children around.
Ademola said he subsequently suggested that the singer be buried in Ikirun, the family’s hometown, but alleged that the wife rejected the option on the grounds that the location was too far.
According to him, the wife proposed burial at a public cemetery, but he disagreed with the suggestion.
He also alleged that he questioned the wife about a house the singer reportedly gave her as a birthday gift and raised concerns about the family’s future plans for the property. The allegations concerning the property and the wife’s intentions have not been independently established.
Ademola maintained that his family was not interested in taking possession of the singer’s assets, insisting that its primary concern was ensuring that the deceased received what the family considered an appropriate burial.
“We are not after Tolu’s property; we just want the right thing to be done,” he said.
Uncle speaks on singer’s support for his father
The family representative also spoke about the relationship between the late singer and his father, claiming that ToluwaniSings had supported his father financially while he was alive.
According to Ademola, the singer had secured a shop for his father and provided him with monthly financial assistance of at least ₦50,000. He claimed the last amount given to his father was ₦80,000.
He further alleged that the singer had promised to give his father ₦5 million to support a business venture before his death.
Ademola’s account adds to the questions being raised by members of the deceased’s family over the events surrounding his death and the subsequent burial arrangements.
Investigation into death
PUNCH Online had earlier reported on the circumstances surrounding ToluwaniSings’ death, including the family’s confirmation of his death on October 14, 2026, and allegations that he was taken to eight hospitals before he died.
Ademola’s latest appeal underscores the family’s demand for a transparent investigation into the incident.
As the allegations and competing accounts emerge, an impartial inquiry would be necessary to establish the facts, clarify any outstanding questions and ensure that conclusions are based on verifiable evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims.
