Newly surfaced voice notes said to involve the late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings, and some of his relatives have appeared online, stirring up the family dispute again just days after his burial.
In one of the recordings, which was shared by social media personality Yinka TNT, the singer was allegedly heard complaining about constant financial demands from members of his maternal family.
According to the recording, Toluwanisings mentioned requests for N6m and N12m, saying these demands were interfering with his plans to set up a business for his wife.
He said, “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.”
Toluwanisings reportedly also complained that the money he intended to give his wife to start a business was being held back due to the demands.
“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.
The recording drew reactions on social media, with some users expressing sympathy for the widow and questioning the financial demands reportedly made by the relatives.
Another voice note, said to feature the mother of a relative known as Taye, later appeared online. The woman reportedly defended her family, accusing the late singer of ingratitude despite the help they had allegedly given him.
The woman could be heard asking, “Have you forgotten all that I have done for you? Who is teaching you all this you are saying?”
Also reacting to the controversy, another relative, Taiwo Olawoyin, denied claims that he had received money from the singer as a gift or influenced his decision not to set up a business for his wife.
Olawoyin said, “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 insisted that the singer’s decision not to set up a business for the widow was a personal one.
“Your husband did not open shop for you, not because of me. Your husband decided not to do all the stuff for you,” Olawoyin said.
He also rejected claims that he had blocked his brother’s career or financial advancement, noting that the singer had built houses, organized shows, and bought and sold cars without any interference from him.
“My brother has built houses, held several shows, and bought and sold cars. I have never been a hindrance to his success,” Olawoyin added.
He also 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 added.
The controversy also prompted a reaction from gospel singer Lanre Alewilese, who apologized to the widow regarding an N6m fundraising effort he had organized to cover the tuition of the UK-based relative.
Alewilese stated that he had acted on the information available to him at the time but later came to realize that the situation differed from what he had understood.
This latest development follows days after Toluwanisings was buried at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, after weeks of disagreement between his widow, Elizabeth Olayemi, and members of his family over his final resting place.
His burial was held on Monday following a service at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, Alakia, Ibadan. His remains were subsequently taken to his residence for interment.
Toluwanisings’ family, especially his father, Muniru Olayemi, had opposed a cemetery burial, maintaining that his son should be laid to rest at his residence or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State.
The Oyo State Police Command later stepped in, and the parties signed a peace undertaking before the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, on November 3, agreeing to keep the peace and avoid further public exchanges.
However, the appearance of the alleged recordings has reignited the family controversy, turning attention away from the burial disagreement toward the singer’s financial dealings and relationships with his relatives.
