Alhaji Waidi Ayinla Omowura, aka Egunmogaji, Anigilaje, Alhaji Costly, was an iconoclast,brave and bold. He was the stormy petrel of Yoruba music in the 70s.He admitted in "Omi Titun Ti Ru" that the only person he respected in music circle was Haruna Ishola alone!
Ayinla Omowura died during a scuffled with his ex-band manager, Baiyewu.Baiyewunmi was Ayinla Omowura’s band manager for many years. He was Ayinla’s dependable Man Friday. He booked his shows, arranged his programmes and was also responsible for keeping the band’s money. In at least two albums, Ayinla sang his praises, even if fleetingly.
Then the bubbles burst. Ayinla accused Baiyewunmi of fraudulent accounting.Baiyewunmi was summarily summoned to Itoko "Omowura's Aso Rock" in Abeokuta by the Emperor of Music. Perhaps scared of Ayinla’s fiery tongue ,Baiyewunmi, the embattled band manager refused to appear in court to show cause.
Egunmogaji declared him a wanted man, and determined to collect the motorcycle he had bought for him. Everyone in Abeokuta began looking for the estranged Baiyewunmi.
Baiyewunmi was in Egba Alake. He was not even in hiding.Baiyewunmi loved good life. And good life loved him. And that proved to be fatal!
According to source,Ayinla Omowura had just finished composing another blockbuster album in his head. He was humming his new songs whilst been driven in his a brand new Mercedes Benz. It must have been the mental exercise, Ayinla’s throat began itching for something stronger than cold water. Alhaji Costly directed his driver to stop at a beer parlour for the much needed refreshment.
Like the King he was, Ayinla stepped out of his car majestically. He was followed by the driver and two of his bandboys who were with him in the car. Egunmogaji! People hailed the maestro. He waved at them.
Apparently, Ayinla was not the only one who needed a drink. Seated comfortably in the bar and enjoying himself was no other person than Baiyewunmi himself! Baiyewunmi!
Ayinla saw Baiyewunmi! Baiyewunmi saw Ayinla! Two elephants met! “Lo pe Olopa fun mi ni Eleweran! Oju Ole re!” Ayinla ordered his driver to run to Eleweran to fetch police so that Baiywunmi, the ‘thief’ could be arrested.
Police ke! Baiyewunmi stood up immediately. The bar became tense. Everybody in the bar knew everybody. Baiyeunmi was not afraid. It could have been Dutch Courage. He took another sip at his beer. He placed the heavy mug back on the metal table. “Hadji Costly! Oro yi ko le to bayi.” He addressed his former boss with the endearing name he knew Ayinla loved.
Omowura was unmoved. “You are sleeping in Eleweran tonight! Ole!” Seeing that entreaties and pleas would be futile, Baiyewunmi weighed his options. He decided to bolt. Ayinla was blocking the entrance, but not totally. His medium frame was not enough to stop a determined band manager. He took on Egunmogaji headlong. Ayinla was not a former driver for nothing. He swiftly stepped aside. He lunged at his attacker. He caught hold of his cloth. Baiyewunmi was caught like a spider. Anigilaje smile triumphantly.
Baiyewunmi was locked in Ayinla’s tight grip. Though his hands were free, Ayinla held on to his cloth tightly. Police would soon be here! Ayinla beamed at his quarry. It must be the word ‘Police’ that Baiyewunmi heard. He staggered back to where he was drinking, dragging Ayinla with him. His hand caught the handle of his beer mug. In a moment, he struck Ayinla on the head with the now empty but heavy mug.
Ayinla collapsed like a shot antelope. Baiyewunmi didn’t wait a moment longer. He fled. Omowura felt the wetness of his head. He raised his right hand to assess the damage. His hand was soaked in blood.Ayinla began to chant incantation from one of his albums. Bi iku ba n pa won leworo leworo, ki e ma ka temi mo won (If death was killing them by the dozens, my death will not be included).
His two boys took him to the hospital. Ayinla must not die! Music must not die! Doctors battled to save the life of the musical genius. People stood outside the hospital praying ceaselessly. Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshippers cried to the heavens.
Cock has crowed. Eagle has flown away. Ayinla Omowura is gone!
Baiyewunmi was arrested and charged with the murder of Alhaji Waidi Ayinla Omowura contrary to section 254(2) of the Criminal Code. The trial judge was Mr. Justice Owolabi Kolawole of the Ogun State High Court (later OFR and later, Justice of Court of Appeal).
Medical evidence was presented. The cause of death,was certified to be cerebral shock resulting from a fracture of the skull associated with a contortion of the brain as well as well as large intracranial haemorrhage consistent with the deceased having been struck on the head with a heavy object. Big Grammar! In a layman’s basic English, Ayinla’s head was cracked with a jug. Simple!
In his defence, Baiyewunmi denied striking Ayinla. He claimed that after Ayinla grabbed his cloth, Ayinla began to tremble all over and then collapsed. His Counsel argued that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses contained such contradictions as to make it unreliable. Counsel also argued that if it all Ayinla was attacked, it was in self-defence. Case adjourned for judgment.
The Courtroom was filled to the brim on the day My Lord Justice Kolawole was to deliver the judgment. The judgment took the whole of one hour. His Lordship held that Baiyewunmi had to be taken as having intended the natural and probable consequence of his act, which was that Ayinla would suffer grievous harm as a result of the blow to the head.
At this point, Justice Kolawole looked up from his record. There was pin drop silence in the court room. Baiyewunmi stood in the dock with his head bowed. Counsel for prosecution and defence watched His Lordship intently.
The judge turned another page and continued: “In coming to my conclusion, I only need to say in the words of Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians at chapter 11 verse 29: ‘For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself…The accused eateth and drinketh unworthily; he eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.”
Baiyewunmi was therefore found guilty of the murder of Alhaji Ayinla Waidi aka Ayinla Omowura, Egunmogaji of Egbaland, Anigilaje, Alhaji Costly!
Baiyewunmi was sentenced to death accordingly.
Baiyewu who was a childhood friend of Ayinla Omowura. When Ayinla became a famous musician Baiyewu was his Manager. They were both from a similar rough background, fought with knives and and bottles.
Baiyewu later gave his life to Christ while in prison and became an incredible influence in the prison. Every prisoner felt the influence of Baiyewu. He called them to prayer very early in the morning and late at night. This condemned prisoner became a good friend of many other prisoners. If any man was ever totally and completely changed by the anoointing of the Holy Spirit, Baiyewu was a truly changed man.
He saw Christ before he saw death, that his end was near. Three days later Col. Diya came on a visit to the prison and signed that all the “fat” prisoners on death row be killed. Baiyewu was hung with 13 other prisoners in Abeokuta Prison wearing his best prison gear leading the others in singing to the gallows.
Alhaji Wahidi Ayinla Omowura was born in Itoko, Abeokuta in the early 1930s. He steadfastly released album after album during the years 1970 and 1980, with his albums selling like hot cakes on EMI NIGERIA label. Anigilaje reigned supreme at the annual Ogun festivals of motor parks – Ogun Ajobo / Sango, Ogun Ajobo / Mushin, Ogun Ajobo / Oshodi. Unlike his contemporaries, he did not stick only with praise singing for or about patrons.
Anigilaje’s music was merciless, commenting on women who bleached their skin, aborted, or slept around (Pansaga ranti ojo ola – Promiscous one, remember tomorrow), his real or perceived enemies (Awa kii se olodi won …. E beru Ayinla o, bi e ba beru Ayinla, ko si’jangbon – We are not their enemies … Fear Ayinla, if you fear Ayinla, there will be no trouble), men who allowed their wives to run beer parlors and then complained (Ta lo ‘n muti bi o s’okunrin, to wa n s’ase oro kan, p’okunrin poju nile oloti – Who else drinks alcohol if not men, and now are talking jive, that there are too many men in the beer parlor). He likewise commented on issues of the day
– Ire Wole De Owo Udoji (Udoji Raise), National Census 1973, Late General Muritala Muhammed, Challenge Cup, Owo Tuntun (New Money – Naira), to name a few. He died on May 6, 1980 after a former band member struck him on his head with a beer mug during a fight at a night club. Ayinla’s music is a priceless trove of Yoruba proverbs and metaphors
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