The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday, November 3, waded into the dispute arising from disagreements over the burial arrangements of late Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.
This followed concerns from many people including his fans over allegations of conspiracy, defamation of character and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace among the parties involved.
The intervention also followed information received by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, concerning the disagreement between the deceased’s family and associates over the proposed burial arrangements, which had generated tensions and exchanges across various public communication platforms.
In view of the potential implications of the disagreement for public peace and order, the Commissioner of Police was said to have directed that all parties be invited to the command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, for an intervention aimed at preventing further escalation and facilitating an amicable resolution.
Consequently, at the conclusion of the engagement held on Tuesday, all parties, comprising the deceased’s wife, Mrs Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola; his father, Mr Muniru Olayemi; his friends and associates, including Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo and Lawal Ademola Rafiu, as well as the deceased’s personal assistant and other representatives, entered into and signed a peace undertaking at the police headquarters.
It was gathered that under the terms of the undertaking, all parties agreed to maintain peace and be of good behaviour, refrain from any act capable of causing a breach of the peace, and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and discussions capable of inflaming tensions or aggravating the existing disagreement surrounding the demise of the singer and related issues.
Furthermore, the parties expressly undertook to discontinue the dissemination of information, narratives, allegations and publications relating to the matter through social media platforms, print media, radio, blogs and other communication channels, including publications made through their respective proxies, agents, associates and representatives.
They equally agreed not to grant interviews, provide access or facilitate engagements with individuals or media platforms for the purpose of further disseminating such narratives. In addition, each party undertook to direct their respective proxies and associates to desist from making, sponsoring, amplifying or circulating publications capable of reigniting the disagreement or undermining the peace agreement.
In reinforcing the terms of the undertaking, the CP warned that the agreement must be respected by all parties and extended to their proxies, agents, associates and representatives. He cautioned that no individual should take advantage of the circumstances surrounding the singer’s demise to instigate hostility, promote unsubstantiated allegations or engage in conduct capable of disrupting public peace. Any person whose actions constitute an offence under applicable laws will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
