The grandmother of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has alleged that he neglected her for years before his death, while insisting that he should be buried at his house rather than in a cemetery.
Sabitiyu Olayemi, who spoke in an interview with a journalist, Dunmininu, in Osun State, said she had not seen her grandson for more than five years, despite helping to care for him and his mother before he moved to Lagos.
She said she knew he was a musician but was unaware that he had built a house or organised a housewarming ceremony.
“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 in the interview, which was shared on social media on Monday.
The grandmother recalled that the singer once visited her with his wife and first child but alleged that he rarely provided financial support afterwards.
According to her, she once asked someone in the village to help her contact him because she wanted to speak with him. She said he responded warmly when she identified herself and explained that work had prevented him from checking on her.
She alleged that he subsequently sent her ₦10,000 on about three occasions but stopped sending money afterwards.
Olayemi also claimed 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 the singer provided medication or money for medical expenses, she said, “There is nothing Sodiq (Toluwanisings) sends to me.”
Despite her allegations, she said his death had deeply affected her.
“When I heard he is dead, I felt so bad, even though I did not benefit, he is still my child,” she said, adding that she had accepted her fate.
The grandmother also rejected plans to bury the singer in a cemetery, insisting that his remains should be taken to the house he built.
“I do not agree that Toluwanisings should be buried in a cemetery. It is at his house that they should bury him,” she said.
The burial arrangements have reportedly caused disagreements among the singer’s family members. His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, had earlier said he wanted his son 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 when he died, insisting 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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