Fresh controversy has surrounded the burial arrangements for late gospel singer Toluwanisings after members of his father’s family called for his interment to be suspended until the circumstances of his death are investigated.
The singer, whose real name was Olayemi Bolaji, died on October 14. His death generated widespread reactions among fans and gospel music followers, particularly because of his growing popularity.
A memorial service was scheduled for Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, while the burial was reportedly planned for Wednesday, although the arrangements had not been publicly announced.
However, Lawal Rauf, an uncle of the deceased, has said the father’s family is opposed to proceeding with the burial as planned.
In a statement, Rauf said the family wanted a thorough investigation into the singer’s death before any interment took place.
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“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.
The disagreement comes after earlier reports of a dispute between the singer’s widow and his father over where he should be laid to rest.
His wife reportedly preferred a cemetery or church-owned burial ground, explaining that she would not feel comfortable living in a house where her husband was buried.
His father, however, had expressed a preference for the family home or their village, where the singer’s mother was buried.
Rauf said the family now wanted the singer to be buried at his home in Ibadan, where his wife currently resides, whenever the burial eventually takes place.
He appealed to the government, Nigerians and religious leaders to help ensure that the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death are examined transparently.
The latest development has introduced further uncertainty into the burial arrangements, with disagreements continuing over both the timing of the interment and the preferred location.
The family’s demand for an investigation remains central to the dispute.
