Gospel singer Lanre Alewilese has apologised to Damilola Elizabeth, wife of late gospel artiste Toluwanisings, following the controversy surrounding his decision to raise ₦6m for the deceased singer’s relative, Shadrach Taiwo, to support his education in the United Kingdom.
Alewilese issued the apology in a video posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, admitting that he acted hastily by organising the fundraising without fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the family.
The controversy followed the circulation of an audio recording allegedly featuring Toluwanisings expressing frustration over the financial demands of sponsoring Taiwo’s education.
In the recording shared by an Instagram user, Yinka TNT, the late singer was purportedly heard saying he had spent about ₦12m on Taiwo’s education and could no longer sustain the financial commitment.
The social media user also alleged that the issue had caused disagreements between Toluwanisings and members of his maternal family.
The matter attracted further attention after Yinka TNT published a payment receipt showing that ₦6m had been transferred to Taiwo days after the singer’s death.
Reacting to the criticism that followed, Alewilese explained in an Instagram video that he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding Taiwo’s relationship with the deceased when he initiated the fundraising.
According to him, Toluwanisings had introduced Taiwo as his biological brother, a claim he said he had no reason to question.
“Before Toluwani died, he introduced Shadrach Taiwo to me as his sibling from the same father and mother. He never told anyone about their relationship. This was the same boy that played the role of best man at his wedding,” he said.
Alewilese disclosed that the late singer had previously sought his assistance in facilitating Taiwo’s travel to the United States, although the arrangement did not materialise.
He added that he subsequently learnt that Taiwo had gained admission to a UK institution, with Toluwanisings reportedly taking responsibility for his annual tuition.
Recounting his interaction with Taiwo after the singer’s death, Alewilese said he obtained the young man’s contact through a member of Toluwanisings’ band while he was in the United Kingdom.
He said Taiwo informed him that he had spoken with the deceased three days before his death, during which the singer allegedly promised to pay his £6,500 school fees.
Alewilese added that Taiwo also disclosed that his UK visa was due to expire at the end of October and that the Home Office had requested its renewal.
He explained that he subsequently opened a fundraising group because he could not immediately discuss the matter with Toluwanisings’ wife.
He said contributors donated towards the young man’s education under the impression that he was the deceased’s biological brother.
“I could not tell the wife about the situation, so I opened a group where we started soliciting funds for the brother. People were rendering support with the mindset that Shadrach was a blood relation of Toluwani,” he said.
In his Facebook statement titled Public Apology and Clarification, Alewilese expressed regret over his involvement, acknowledging that he should have exercised greater caution before organising the donations.
He said, “My intention was never to mislead anyone, create controversy, or take advantage of the situation. I acted out of concern, compassion, and a desire to ensure that the efforts of someone I deeply respected were not wasted.”
The gospel singer further accepted responsibility for the misunderstanding and apologised to Toluwanisings’ wife, as well as colleagues in the entertainment industry who might have been affected by the controversy.
“I sincerely regret any misunderstanding, hurt, or disappointment my actions may have caused. I take responsibility for my approach and hope this clarification helps everyone understand the genuine intentions behind my involvement,” he added.
Toluwanisings died on October 14 after reportedly being unable to secure medical attention at some hospitals.
His death subsequently triggered a dispute among family members over his burial arrangements. The disagreement was later resolved following the intervention of the Oyo State Police Command, which secured a peace undertaking from the parties.
The singer was eventually buried at his residence on Monday.
