Gospel singer and evangelist Tope Alabi has threatened legal action against people spreading allegations linking her to the death of fellow gospel minister Toluwanisings, following Facebook videos in which a woman identified as Pastor Tayo Ministries accused her of ritualism and claimed she had a connection to the singer’s death.
Alabi’s solicitors, Oakmount Legal Practitioners, issued a public notice dated October 23, 2026, warning against the publication and circulation of statements they described as false, misleading and damaging to the gospel singer’s reputation.
The warning came after videos attributed to Pastor Tayo Ministries circulated on Facebook on October 22 and 23, naming Alabi alongside gospel entertainers Woli Agba, Dele Omo Woli and Woli Arole in allegations concerning Toluwanisings’ death.
What Pastor Tayo Allegedly Said About Tope Alabi
The Facebook videos reportedly accused Alabi of ritualism and alleged that she used Toluwanisings to renew her glory. The woman also linked Alabi and the three other gospel personalities to the circumstances surrounding the late singer’s death.
The allegations placed the gospel singer at the centre of online discussions less than two weeks after Toluwanisings’ death was announced.
Toluwanisings, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, died in the early hours of October 14, 2026. He was 41.
The claims involving Alabi and the other entertainers formed the backdrop to the legal notice subsequently shared on her Instagram page.
Tope Alabi Responds as Lawyers Issue Warning
Alabi shared the notice on Instagram on October 23 with the caption: “PLEASE NOTE THIS AS REGARDS ANY MALICIOUS VIDEO OR SPEECH AGAINST ME.”
The document, signed by Toluwanimi Okunade of Oakmount Legal Practitioners, identified the singer as Evangelist Patricia Temitope Alabi and described her as a gospel minister, recording artiste, songwriter, actress and public figure.
Her lawyers said she had spent almost three decades building her reputation in her personal, professional and spiritual life.
The notice stated: “Our Client has, for almost thirty (30) years, built a reputation of integrity, honour and public trust in her personal, professional and spiritual life.”
It added that the reputation was “a valuable personal and professional asset” protected by law.
The legal warning addressed statements the lawyers said had been published and circulated about their client across different platforms and forms of communication.
Lawyers Warn Against Sharing Allegedly Defamatory Posts
Oakmount Legal Practitioners warned that legal responsibility could extend beyond the person who originally made a statement to people who republish or distribute it.
The notice stated that liability could extend 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 and applicable legal defences.
The lawyers also cautioned social media users against assuming that anonymous accounts would protect them from legal consequences.
“The use of anonymous, pseudonymous or unverified accounts does not, of itself, confer immunity from legal liability,” the notice stated.
People who had already published material considered defamatory were directed to remove it immediately and refrain from further publication. However, the lawyers warned that deleting a post would not automatically eliminate possible liability for its earlier publication.
The firm said Alabi had instructed it to institute proceedings against anyone whose conduct gave rise to an actionable claim “without further notice or recourse.”
Potential remedies listed in the notice included damages, injunctions to prevent further publication, court-ordered retractions, public apologies and legal costs.
The notice did not announce that a court had already ruled on the allegations. Instead, it set out the legal steps Alabi’s lawyers said they were prepared to pursue.
The firm also clarified that the warning was not intended to suppress lawful expression.
“Nothing in this Notice is intended to restrict truthful statements, fair comment on matters of public interest, or the lawful exercise of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by law,” it stated.
Tope Alabi Had Earlier Mourned Toluwanisings
Before the legal warning, Alabi had publicly expressed grief over Toluwanisings’ death.
In an Instagram tribute, she described the news as a “big shock” and wrote: “I still can’t wrap my head around this. It hurts, but I will not sorrow as those who have no hope. I find comfort in knowing that a saint has joined the angels.”
She also paid tribute to the late minister, writing: “Toluwanisings, rest on, dear one, in the bosom of your Lord. May God comfort and strengthen your family, friends, and colleagues. You will forever be remembered.”
Toluwanisings’ family announced his death in a statement, describing him as a beloved husband, family member and gospel minister. The announcement confirmed that he died in the early hours of October 14 but did not state a cause of death.
He was survived by his wife and two children.
The legal warning has brought renewed attention to the online allegations involving Alabi and the other gospel personalities. Her lawyers have made clear that they intend to pursue legal remedies against people whose publications give rise to actionable claims, while maintaining that truthful statements and lawful public discussion remain protected.
