Woli Agba, Tope Alabi threaten legal action over Toluwanisings’ death claims

Gospel entertainers Ayobami “Woli Agba” Ajewole, Olamide “Dele Omo Woli” Oladimeji and singer Tope Alabi have threatened to take legal action against people spreading allegations linking them to the death of fellow gospel minister Olayemi “Toluwanisings” Bolaji.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Toluwanisings died after slumping at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The entertainers, in public notices issued by their lawyers and posted on their Instagram pages, condemned what they described as “false and defamatory allegations” and warned those responsible to desist.

“Woli Agba and Dele Omo Woli”

Dele Omo Woli and Woli Agba, in a joint notice issued on Sunday and signed by Oluwatosin Ige and Olaife Ajewole of Gemgold Solicitors, said the allegations were baseless and aimed at damaging the entertainers’ reputations.

The lawyers said the claims could subject their clients to public ridicule and fuel hostility against them.

They warned that anyone who started, circulated, or amplified the allegations risked legal action, whether they used personal accounts or anonymous profiles to spread the claims.

“We state categorically that these allegations, particularly those falsely associating our clients with the demise of Toluwanisings, are entirely false, unsubstantiated, and unfounded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, members of the public are reminded that the law does not exempt individuals who re-share, forward, or amplify defamatory content created by anonymous or untraceable accounts. Anyone who originates, publishes, forwards, or endorses defamatory material is equally liable under the law”, said the lawyers.

“Their demands”

The lawyers urged members of the public to stop circulating unverified allegations against the entertainers, warning against the reckless spread of claims that could damage their reputations.

They further called out those promoting the allegations and demanded that they remove any defamatory posts they had already shared on their social media pages, blogs and other platforms.

The solicitors noted, “Refrain from publishing, sharing, or circulating false, misleading, or unverified allegations concerning Ayobami Ajewole (Woli Agba) and Dele Omo Woli. Desist from reposting, forwarding, or commenting in endorsement of any online material carrying these defamatory statements.

“Immediately remove any such defamatory content previously posted or shared on personal, blog, or social media pages.”

The lawyers warned that anyone who ignored their demands and continued to spread the allegations would face legal consequences. They said their clients reserved the right to take action against both individuals and media platforms involved.

“Our clients reserve all legal rights. Any individual, blog, media platform, or social media user who continues to publish, re-circulate, or broadcast false and defamatory content against our Clients will face swift legal action, including claims for substantial damages and injunctive relief under applicable civil and criminal laws.

“This notice is issued in the interest of justice, responsible public communication, and the protection of individual dignity. Members of the public are urged to exercise restraint, verify information before sharing, and act within the bounds of the law.”

Tope Alabi

Meanwhile, Alabi issued a stern warning to those sharing the disputed content online, making it clear they could be held legally accountable.

In a notice issued on Saturday by her solicitor, Toluwanimi Okunade of Oakmount Legal Practitioners, the singer directed him to explore legal remedies against individuals whose actions could form the basis of actionable claims.

Mr Okunade said Alabi had built a reputation as a gospel minister, recording artist, songwriter, actress and public figure with national and international standing.

He added that the singer had spent nearly 30 years building her career and reputation, insisting that her “reputation is a valuable personal and professional asset, and it is protected by law”.

The lawyer noted, “That reputation is a valuable personal and professional asset, and it is protected by law. It has come to our client’s attention that false, misleading and injurious statements concerning her have been, and may continue to be, published and circulated to the public, whether in print, broadcast, online or by word of mouth;

“Any person who, without lawful justification, publishes or causes to be published, whether in writing, in print, through images, videos, audio, electronic or social media posts, or any other permanent form (libel), or by spoken words, broadcasts, interviews, podcasts, live streams, voice notes or any other transient form (slander), any statement concerning our client which is false, malicious or calculated to injure her reputation, shall be held personally liable for such publication.”

Liability extension

Mr Okunade warned that the law could catch up with anyone who published the statements without lawful justification.

He said those who circulated the material or helped spread it would also be liable, alongside the original creators.

“That liability may extend, inter alia, to the originator of the statement and to any person who repeats, republishes, reposts, shares, forwards or otherwise amplifies the same, depending on the circumstances of the publication and any applicable legal defences. That the use of anonymous, pseudonymous or unverified accounts does not, of itself, confer immunity from legal liability.

“Where necessary and legally permissible, our client reserves the right to seek appropriate orders from a court of competent jurisdiction for the identification of persons responsible for the offending publications, including through relevant platforms, hosts or service providers. That any person who has already published such material is hereby required to remove the same forthwith and to desist from any further publication”, said the lawyer.

“Take down”

Mr Okunade warned social media users not to assume anonymous accounts give them a free pass to break the law.

He directed those who published the defamatory material to pull it down immediately and stop circulating it.

He stressed that deleting the posts would not save them from legal liability for what they had already put out.

“That our client has instructed us to institute proceedings against any person whose conduct gives rise to an actionable claim, without further notice or recourse, and to seek, inter alia: (a) general, and, where legally available and justified, aggravated or exemplary damages; (b) injunctions restraining further publication of the offending material or any similar material.

“(C) an order compelling the publication of a retraction and an unreserved public apology; (d) the costs of the action on a full indemnity basis; and (e) such further or other reliefs as the court may deem fit to grant. That our client reserves the right to pursue all such remedies as may be available under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to refer appropriate cases to the relevant authorities.

He clarified that the notice was not an attempt to gag anyone or suppress legitimate criticism, truthful statements or fair comment on issues of public interest. He said the law protects freedom of expression.

“Alabi threatens to sue Pastor Tayo over alleged murder claims”

Mr Okunade further revealed Alabi threatened legal action against Canada-based pastor Tayo “Pastor Tayo Ministries” Kumuyi over allegations linking her to the death of Toluwanisings.

In a cease-and-desist letter dated 24 October, the solicitor demanded that the pastor and the administrators of the Pastor Tayo Ministries Facebook page take down the disputed publications, retract the allegations and apologise to the singer.

He gave them 24 hours to act, saying the page had published posts between 20 and 24 October that allegedly accused Alabi of involvement in murder and ritual killing and linked her to the deaths of several gospel ministers.

“We therefore demand that, within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of this letter, you: remove from public view the publications, posts and live videos together with any other publications under your control that repeat the same allegations of criminal involvement by our client. Immediately cease further publication or dissemination of those allegations, whether directly or through any person acting on your behalf.

“Withdraw your express request that members of the public share the offending publications and take reasonable steps to request the removal of identifiable copies republished at your direction or with your involvement. Cease making statements that threaten, intimidate or otherwise unlawfully harass our client. Preserve all relevant publications, recordings, messages, drafts and available account records. Removal from public view must not involve the destruction or alteration of evidence.”

Mr Okunade insisted that Alabi had no involvement in the death of the late Toluwanisings, stressing that his client had openly and privately mourned the deceased. He also rejected any suggestion that Alabi had a hand in anyone else’s death.

Failure to comply

Mr Okunade warned that Pastor Tayo Ministries could face legal action if she failed to honour the demands. He said Alabi would proceed to court without further notice, where the law allowed her to do so.

He added that his client would seek declaratory and injunctive relief, damages and costs from a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Applying for interlocutory relief where the legal and evidential requirements are satisfied. Submitting formal complaints to Meta Platforms and other relevant platformsms, requesting removal of the offending publications and appropriate action under their applicable policies.

“Referring the alleged threatening communications and any other conduct that may constitute an offence to the appropriate law enforcement authority for investigation. Seeking such lawful orders as may be available to identify the persons responsible for the publications and obtain relevant information through the applicable legal process”, added the lawyer.

He stressed that Alabi could pursue general damages and seek aggravated or exemplary damages if the evidence supports such claims under the law.

According to him, the singer also reserved the right to demand legal costs and any other relief available to him.

READ ALSO: How Toluwanisings died – Singer’s PA

“Father rejects cemetery burial”

Meanwhile, the late singer’s father, Muniru Olayemi, challenged claims about his son’s age, saying Toluwanisings was born in 1992.

Speaking in an interview with Dumininu TV, Mr Olayemi insisted that his son should not be buried in a cemetery. Instead, he wants the late singer taken to his house.

The family had not announced a burial date as of press time.

“He tried for me as a father. In fact, I came back home from Kano because of him. That’s why I want him buried in his house, not a cemetery or a church. I’ll be happy that way. I married his mother in a legally recognised, full marriage, although I had a child with another woman before I legally married his mother. I was happy when Toluwanisings embraced Christianity because our family has both Christians and Muslims.

“I was glad to see him practising his faith. His mother died in 1992 when he was just six months old. When her remains were brought back from Kano, her family requested that Toluwanisings be released into their care to help console them over their loss. He was subsequently taken in by his maternal family. His maternal family were Christians, and that was how he was raised in the Christian faith”, said his father.

Mr Olayemi revealed that Toluwanisings attended Yaba College of Technology after secondary school and met his wife at a church in Lagos.

He disclosed that his elder sister played a major role in raising the singer, providing the financial support he needed and looking after his welfare.

According to him, she paid Toluwanisings’ school fees, bought him a bicycle and made sacrifices to ensure he received proper care.

He added that his sister, known as Iya Ibeji, even arranged his marriage to Toluwanisings’ mother while he was working in Kano State.

“After completing secondary school, Toluwanisings proceeded to Yaba College of Technology. At the time, I was based in Kano, but he knew my elder sister, who had married his mother for me.

“While in Lagos, he met the woman who later became his wife; they were both in the same church choir, and eventually, he informed us of his intention to get married.”