- Rotimi William Adeoye, ex-husband of late gospel singer Bunmi Akinaanu, speaks out after her burial.
- Tensions arose during the burial as their children publicly rejected Adeoye.
- In an emotional interview, Adeoye discusses the reasons for their divorce.
The ex-husband of the late gospel singer Bunmi Akinaanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, has finally broken his silence following the tense moments that unfolded during her burial, where their children publicly rejected him.
In an emotional interview, Rotimi William Adeoye shared his perspective, shedding light on the reasons behind their divorce and the longstanding difficulties in his relationship with their children.
Tensions flared at Omije Ojumi’s burial when her daughter, Jomiloju, accused her father of irresponsibility in front of attendees. The situation escalated when Rotimi approached the children, but his son reportedly refused to acknowledge him as his father.
The incident, which was captured on video, quickly went viral online, drawing widespread condemnation from Nigerians before many had heard Rotimi’s side.
During an interview with Legit journalist Sola Sanusi, Rotimi confirmed that he and Bunmi Akinaanu were legally married. They tied the knot at the Surulere Registry in 2006 and later held a church ceremony at ECWA Church in Mushin. Their marriage produced two children: Jomiloju and William. The union eventually ended in a legal divorce finalized in the United Kingdom.
Rotimi explained that their separation stemmed from his discomfort with certain aspects of Bunmi’s lifestyle after her return to Nigeria. He said repeated discussions and warnings did not resolve the issues, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their marriage.
He further alleged that Bunmi secretly took their daughter to Nigeria just months before she was set to receive her UK residency documents. Rotimi stated that he had planned to regularize his immigration status through his daughter but claimed Bunmi misunderstood his intentions, believing he would abandon her after obtaining the papers.
According to Rotimi, Jomiloju was born in the UK, and he cared for her alone from three months old until she turned seven, while Bunmi returned to Nigeria before her visitor’s visa expired. He recounted that the situation worsened when Bunmi took their daughter under the pretext of attending a vigil, only to later inform him that the child was already in Nigeria.
Following this, Rotimi said he lost full access to both children, despite multiple attempts to maintain contact. He emphasized that the burial confrontation did not reflect the years of effort he invested in being an active parent, noting that his church community in London recognized him as a devoted father.
Regarding their son, William, Rotimi revealed he was born in the United States on December 25, 2013. He claimed to have sent money for baby essentials and later paid approximately £7,000 to cover childbirth costs, which he said amounted to around $8,000 at the time. Rotimi said he suggested Bunmi stay with his sister in the US, a nurse married to a doctor, but she opted to live with a friend instead. He alleged that subsequent financial disagreements further strained their relationship, and the last time he saw William was on the child’s first birthday in the UK.
Rotimi also stated that his family in Nigeria only met the children for the first time during Bunmi Akinaanu’s service of songs, asserting they were denied access while she was alive. He described the burial confrontation as heartbreaking, particularly hearing his daughter label him as irresponsible despite his efforts.
Bunmi Akinaanu, fondly remembered as Omije Ojumi, was laid to rest in Lagos on January 29, 2026, approximately two weeks after her passing. Emotional footage from the burial showed her children, family, and friends saying their final goodbyes. Nigerians across social media also mourned the gospel singer, celebrating her for the soulful music that brought inspiration and comfort to many.
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