Toluwanisings’ grandmother alleges neglect, demands burial at his house + Video
by Ganiyu Mubarak · The Eagle OnlineThe grandmother of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has alleged that he neglected her for years before his death, insisting that his remains should be buried at his house rather than in a cemetery.
Sabitiyu Olayemi made the allegations in an interview with journalist Dunmininu in Osun State, uploaded on social media on Monday.
She said she helped care for the singer, whom she also referred to as Sodiq, and his mother before he moved to Lagos, but alleged that she had not seen him for more than five years.
“We have been taking care of Sodiq (Toluwanisings) and his mother even before he went to Lagos. He attended Arabic schools. When he was in grammar school, I would visit him,” she said.
The grandmother said she knew her grandson was a musician but was unaware that he had built a house or organised a housewarming ceremony.
“I just knew he is a musician. I am not aware he built a house; I was not aware of a housewarming. Even if I want to call him, they will say I shouldn’t. It has been over five years I set my eyes on him,” she said.
Sabitiyu recalled that Toluwanisings once visited her with his wife and first child but alleged that he rarely supported her financially afterwards.
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She said she later asked someone in the village to help her contact the singer because she wanted to speak with him.
“So I called and told him it was me. He responded, ‘Ahh, Mummy.’ I told him that you cannot even check up on me. He said it is work that has been a hindrance,” she recounted.
According to her, the singer subsequently sent her ₦10,000 on about three occasions but stopped sending money afterwards.
She further alleged that when her mobile phone was damaged, she asked the singer’s elder sibling to help her contact him for a replacement, but was told not to call him.
Asked whether Toluwanisings provided her with medication or money for medical expenses, given her age, she replied: “There is nothing Sodiq (Toluwanisings) sends to me.”
Despite her allegations of neglect, the grandmother said she was deeply saddened by his death.
“When I heard he is dead, I felt so bad, even though I did not benefit, he is still my child. I know he is still an achievement. I cannot see Sodiq. I have accepted my fate. I wish God had taken me, so I won’t see this evil,” she said.
Sabitiyu also rejected the proposal to bury the singer in a cemetery, insisting that he should be laid to rest at his house.
“I do not agree that Toluwanisings should be buried in a cemetery. It is at his house that they should bury him. They should not come and bury him close to his mother,” she said.
Reiterating her position, she added: “It is not possible; they have to bury him there.”
The singer’s death has sparked disagreement among family members over his burial arrangements.
His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, had earlier expressed a preference for his son to be buried either in the house he built or beside his late mother in Osun State.
The father also disputed reports that the singer was 44 years old when he died, maintaining that he was 34.
Meanwhile, a man who identified himself as the singer’s uncle, Lawal Ademola, has called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
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