Tope Alabi issues 24-hour ultimatum to Pastor Tayo over death claims

Gospel singer and evangelist Tope Alabi has taken decisive legal action against a Canada-based cleric, Pastor Tayo Ministries, issuing a strict 24-hour ultimatum to retract allegations linking her to the death of fellow artist Toluwanisings. The demand follows a series of social media posts that Alabi’s legal team describes as defamatory and malicious. The controversy centers on the passing of Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, known professionally as Toluwanisings, whose recent death has sparked intense discussion within the gospel music community.

Acting on behalf of the singer, the law firm Oakmount Legal Practitioners formally notified the cleric of the legal consequences regarding the unsubstantiated claims. The legal notice explicitly demands the immediate removal of all videos and posts that suggest or state that Alabi played any role in the death of the late artist. According to the solicitors, these publications have caused significant harm to Alabi’s reputation and brand, necessitating a swift and public correction of the record to prevent further damage.

In addition to the removal of the offensive material, the ultimatum requires Pastor Tayo Ministries to issue a comprehensive public retraction and a formal apology. The legal team has specified that this apology must be prominently displayed on the pastor’s official Facebook page. Furthermore, the retraction is required to be "pinned" to the top of the social media feed for a duration of at least 14 days to ensure maximum visibility among the audience that might have encountered the initial allegations.

This legal escalation reflects a growing trend of high-profile individuals in the West African entertainment and religious sectors using the law to combat online misinformation. While the death of Toluwanisings remains a source of grief for the gospel industry, Alabi's firm stance indicates a refusal to allow the tragedy to be used for what her representatives characterize as defamatory content. The 24-hour window places the burden of retraction squarely on the Canada-based cleric as the deadline for potential further legal action approaches.