A self-styled prophet, Moses Idowu, has been remanded in custody for allegedly filming the corpse of late gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, at a morgue after claiming he possessed the spiritual power to bring the dead back to life.
Idowu was among two men arraigned by the Oyo State Police Command over the controversy surrounding the singer’s death, with the second suspect accused of circulating videos allegedly implicating members of the deceased’s family and associates in his death.
The police disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the police, Idowu visited the morgue where Toluwanisings’ remains were kept, claiming he had the spiritual ability to resurrect a deceased person.
However, rather than bringing the singer back to life, the prophet allegedly recorded his corpse and circulated the footage on social media without the permission of his family.
The police said the action subjected the deceased’s remains to indignity and inflicted further emotional distress on his bereaved relatives.
Idowu was also accused of making publications alleging that the singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his manager were responsible for his death without providing substantiated evidence.
He was subsequently arraigned on four counts bordering on unlawful recording and publication of false information, defamation, indignity to a deceased human body and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court ordered that he be remanded at the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until December 2, 2026, for further proceedings.
In a related development, the police arraigned another suspect, Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, over alleged defamatory publications concerning the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
Dunminimnun was arrested on Thursday, November 12, after allegedly circulating videos accusing Toluwanisings’ personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, and members of his family of being responsible for his death.
The police said investigations showed that he continued making the publications despite being aware of an undertaking signed by concerned parties to restrain individuals from making further publications about the deceased through print or other media.
His alleged actions also continued despite several warnings from the family and the police against spreading unverified information.
He was arraigned on charges bordering on the publication of false news on Facebook, unlawful publication of defamatory material and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court adjourned his case until December 11, 2026.
The two cases are the latest developments in the controversy that erupted following Toluwanisings’ sudden death on October 14, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The singer reportedly slumped before his death, triggering questions about the circumstances surrounding his final moments.
The controversy intensified after his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, alleged that several hospitals turned the singer away while efforts were being made to secure emergency medical attention for him.
The circumstances of his death also reportedly generated disagreements between his paternal family, widow and associates, with members of his family calling for clarification over what happened.
The dispute later spilled into public exchanges on social media, particularly over where his remains should be buried.
His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, reportedly wanted him buried either at a house he built or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State, while his widow and associates favoured his burial in Ibadan.
The Oyo State Police Command subsequently intervened, bringing the parties together to sign a peace undertaking on November 3, in a bid to end the public disagreement and prevent further tension.
Toluwanisings was eventually buried at his residence in Ibadan on November 9, following a burial service at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, Alakia, in a ceremony attended by a limited number of guests.
Reacting to the latest developments, the police warned social media users and content creators against circulating sensitive images of deceased persons and making unsubstantiated allegations against individuals.
The command urged members of the public to respect the dignity of the dead, show consideration for grieving families and allow established investigative and judicial processes to determine issues surrounding suspicious deaths.
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