Ex-church member makes shocking revelation about Gospel singer, Omije-Ojumi 

… Burial arrangement postponed

By Bose Adelaja

CITIZENS COMPASS— A Gospel singer and former member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Church, has made a shocking revelation about the late Gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu popularly known as Omije-Ojum.

The former church member who introduced himself as Makekodunmi Alabi popularly known as Baba Alasotele, recalled how he met the late singer before stardom.

He made the revelation in a trending video which captured the singer’s early days in ECWA Church.

According to Makekodunmi: “Once the foundation has been destroyed, what can the righteous do? This conversation is about the popular Gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu popularly known as Omije-Ojumi. I have been expecting people to discuss this, but nobody has spoken out, although many would learn from it.

I want to mention how the battle that confronted this woman began. I met her at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Church in Challenge, Mushin, Lagos State. I was born and raised in ECWA as a singer, and that was where I met the late singer.

I was planning to release an album, and she was introduced to me as a backup singer during my days in the church.

Later, the ECWA church released an album containing the track, “Omije Ojumi”, which featured the late singer who was formerly known as Alaba. The track became popular to the extent that many people thought she was the owner of the album.

Years later, I met her at a studio in Ikeja when I was with a studio engineer, Prince Goke Oyewumi and I was working on an audio when I was told that Bunmi would soon show up in the studio. It didn’t occur to me that she was the one being referred to because I knew her to be Alaba. Upon arrival, she was delighted to see me and asked them to play my songs for her because she desired to be my backup singer.

Without mincing words, she excused me and told me certain things that were happening in ECWA, particularly the challenges that arose from the video of Omije-Ojumi. She recalled how the album had brought her to the limelight and the series of invites that followed, as well as how this contravened the rules of the ECWA choir, which forbade a choir member from accepting outside engagements or forming a band.

She told me of how the choir had detected that she had been secretly accepting outside engagements and how she had formed her own group.

Alaba told me of how a family was inspired through the track, and he went all the way to look for the singer, invited her to a praise programme, and openly introduced her to the gathering, and also blessed her with a large sum of money.

She knew she was playing a dangerous game but I advised her to tread softly since she was not the owner of the album that brought her to limelight.

Later, the Choir members discovered that Alaba had formed a band and they felt bad about this because she was nolonger active in the choir as a result of outside engagements.

This brought division among them and Alaba left the choir.

The choir tried to replace her but this was difficult as Alaba was widely known and identified with the album.

That was the genesis of her problem: About 50 members were in that choir. What would it look like when one person went away with the fortune of others without considering the outcome?

Shortly after this, I was bombarded with calls to call her to order. Then, she was in Ibadan, Oyo State, and I made efforts to reach her. Unfortunately, this did not yield positive results as she denied ever knowing me.

I reintroduced myself to her by recalling some instances that once brought us together both in ECWA and the Ikeja studio but my explanations fell on her deaf ears as she stood her ground that she had never met me.

I beseech you all, ensure you have the right footings before riding to stardom. Give your life to Christ and accept him as your Lord and Saviour because we are in the end times.

A former band member of the late singer turned prophet lamented how Akinnaanu died untimely.

The TikTok user who introduced himself as Ade Idunnu, said:

I come out because of our late sister, Bunmi Akinnaanu popularly known as Omije-Ojumi. I was once a band member playing ‘Apala,’ and my stage name was ‘Ilu Baba Ilu’. My sibling, Mayowa, is still a band member.

I drummed for the singer at ‘Ori Oke Abiye’ in Ede, especially during Abiye’ Day in Osun State.

This was a long time ago. When I came across the trending video of her swollen leg, I called her, but she did not pick up calls, and I called my sibling, who confirmed the sickness but declined to share her whereabouts.

He lamented that the sickness that sent the singer to an early grave was more of an attack that should have been treated spiritually. “It was unfortunate that all my attempts to reach her were unsuccessful until her death was announced. This is painful.

He advised Christians to avoid applying medical treatment for spiritual attacks.

Citizens Compass reported that the late singer studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at the Lagos State University (LASU).

Her death was confirmed in a family statement posted on Instagram by her fellow gospel juju singer, Akinola Ayoola Michael, popularly known as Alayo Melody Singer, on Wednesday.

Akinnaanu was said to have given up the ghost on Monday, January 12, 2026, at a Lagos hospital.

Meanwhile, family, friends, and colleagues have released the burial arrangement of the Gospel singer, which kicks off on Tuesday, January 20, with a service of songs at the LTV 8 Ground, Ikeja, Lagos.

A candlelight procession follows at 7pm and a tribute and artists’ night at 8 p.m. the same day.

The interment service will be held on Wednesday, January 21, and will be held strictly for family members and close associates of the late Singer.

At about 8:22 p.m on Saturday, Alayo Melody Singer posted on his Facebook page thus’

FROM SINGER ALAYO MELODY: This is to inform you that all plans and arrangements for the burial of our Late Sister and Colleague; *Lady Evang. Bunmi Akinnaanu a.k.a. OMIJE OJUMI* by the Burial Planning Committee has been CANCELLED totally

This decision became necessary due to some issues arising from and within her family. We are deeply sorry and regret the inconveniences…..

Another Gospel singer, Yinka Alaseyori has released a video acknowledging that her first car was donated Akinnaanu.