Fresh controversy has continued to trail the burial of late gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, as her estranged husband, Rotimi Adeoye, has come out publicly to share his side of the story amid a growing family dispute.
New details surfaced after a YouTube programme aired on Yeye Kudi Courtroom TV, where a woman played a recorded phone conversation allegedly involving Adeoye. In the audio, the man spoke extensively about his marriage to the singer, their separation, and the strained relationship between him and their children.
The development came shortly after the singer’s burial, which was expected to be a solemn event but reportedly turned chaotic following accusations and counter-accusations among family members and associates. Claims of abandonment, infidelity, manipulation, and custody disputes dominated the confrontation, sparking widespread online reactions.
Reports stated that Omije Ojumi and Adeoye got married in 2006, beginning with a court wedding at the Surulere Magistrate Court, followed by a church ceremony at ECWA Church in Mushin. However, their marriage reportedly collapsed around 2010 and was officially dissolved between 2017 and 2018. The separation was said to have been influenced by financial struggles, migration-related issues in the UK, and personal disagreements, with the custody of their children becoming a major point of conflict.
Adeoye, who is believed to be living abroad and has reportedly remarried, claimed that Akinaanu returned to Nigeria and raised their children alone until her death in late 2025 after battling an illness. During her sickness, a public fundraising campaign was reportedly organised to support her medical treatment.
After the burial incident, Adeoye broke his silence through several voice notes, videos, and interviews circulating online. He alleged that the marriage ended due to deceit and infidelity. According to him, he met Akinaanu in the UK around 2000 or 2001 and later married her after securing a work visa. He claimed their first child, Jomiloju, was born in London and that he cared for her alone when Akinaanu allegedly travelled to Nigeria in 2010.
He further claimed that Akinaanu took their daughter to Nigeria without his approval under the excuse of a short visit, even though the child’s UK residency documents were almost due. Adeoye insisted that he later lost access to his children and accused Akinaanu of cutting off communication and blocking all efforts to reach them, including attempts made through their schools, which he said led to police involvement.
Adeoye denied abandoning his children, stating that he regularly sent money, sometimes running into thousands of pounds, and also paid school fees. He claimed he was denied access to the children for over eight years and alleged that they were influenced against him. He also called for DNA tests and vowed to pursue legal custody, while stressing that he still loved the children and hoped for reconciliation.
Speaking emotionally, he recalled caring for his daughter closely, saying he personally bathed her and lived with her until she was seven.
Adeoye also alleged that problems intensified after their second child was born. He claimed he funded the delivery but was excluded from the child’s birth certificate and later denied access. He said the last time he saw his son was on the boy’s first birthday, adding that attempts to reunite with the children through planned UK visits failed repeatedly.
He also accused external religious influences and alleged extramarital affairs of contributing to the prolonged separation.
The dispute gained more attention after a tribute delivered by Jomiloju during the service of songs went viral. The teenage girl praised her mother and accused her father of abandoning her. She said he never cared or called until after her mother’s death. She also revealed that an uncle played the role of a father figure and promised to fulfil her mother’s wishes by pursuing a career in gynaecology and supporting her younger brother, William.
Meanwhile, a representative of the late singer’s gospel music colleagues, Niyi Peter, also issued a statement addressing the tension between the artistes and the family. He claimed that Akinaanu was aware of her impending death and requested a burial that would be witnessed widely. According to him, gospel artistes fixed a burial date after allegedly receiving family approval and began preparations.
Peter further alleged that another singer, Alayo Melody, sponsored major burial expenses such as the coffin, burial space, event hall, and over 100 branded T-shirts. However, he claimed the family later rejected the arrangement, involved the police, and prevented the artistes from fully participating. He also alleged that a woman who cared for Akinaanu during her hospital stay was arrested and forced to surrender her phone.
In response, Akinaanu’s family denied being problematic and said they were shocked by how quickly burial arrangements were announced online. They insisted they eventually organised the burial themselves using pooled family funds.
Adeoye’s relatives also defended their actions at the burial ground, claiming the children had been manipulated and that reconciliation efforts before the burial were blocked.
Since the burial, both families and close associates have continued to release statements publicly, keeping the controversy alive online.
