Get Guardian on GoogleThe Oyo State Police Command has arraigned two men over alleged desecration of the corpse of gospel singer Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluanisings, and the circulation of false and defamatory publications about his death and family members on social media.
The suspects, identified as Prophet Moses Idowu and Oladapo Joshua Dunminimnun, were arraigned separately on charges bordering on the unlawful publication of false information, defamation and conduct likely to cause a breach of the public peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade , disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the cases followed investigations into videos and publications containing unsubstantiated allegations concerning the deceased and his family.
According to the statement, Idowu was arrested after allegedly visiting a morgue where the singer’s corpse was kept, claiming to possess spiritual powers to resurrect the dead.
He was accused of recording the deceased’s body and circulating the footage on social media without the consent of the family, thereby subjecting the remains to indignity and causing further distress to the bereaved.
The police also alleged that Idowu published accusations against the deceased’s wife, Mrs Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his manager, claiming they were responsible for his death without providing substantiated evidence.
He was arraigned on four counts bordering on unlawful recording and publication of the corpse, defamation, publication of false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court ordered his remand at the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until December 2, 2026, for further proceedings.
In a related development, Dunminimnun was arrested on November 12 over videos allegedly accusing the deceased’s personal assistant and family members of being responsible for his death.
The police said investigation revealed that the suspect circulated the videos despite an undertaking by concerned parties restraining publications about the deceased and warnings from the family and police against spreading unverified information.
He was arraigned on charges bordering on publication of false news on Facebook, unlawful publication of defamatory matter and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The court adjourned his case until December 11, 2026, for further proceedings.
The command expressed concern over the use of social media to circulate unverified allegations and sensitive images, particularly in emotionally sensitive circumstances involving death.
While acknowledging citizens’ right to freedom of expression, the police urged social media users and content creators to exercise restraint, verify information before publication and avoid making allegations without credible evidence.
It also urged the public to respect the dignity of deceased persons and allow established investigative and judicial processes to determine issues surrounding suspicious deaths.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, urged residents to cooperate with the police in maintaining public peace, safety and security.
