This isn’t the first proven allegation against Ayefele!! The Baba Okoto-Jesu case is a reminder. Baba Hezekiah Ojo of the CAC & Senwele Jesu family intervened.
If someone can lift lyrics word for word and claim them as his own, then stealing a melody would seem like a minor issue.
In one of his albums, he responded to people who said he steals songs, “Won in moji won lorin.”
I used to think Yinka Ayefele was too versatile and talented to steal anyone’s song. But his case with Baba Okoto-Jesu changed my mind.
I was in Ogbomoso when Okoto Jesu released “Ilekun Ayo Mi Ti Shi.” A few years later, Ayefele released the same song, word for word and claimed he was the composer. The song went more viral.
When Okoto Jesu spoke out, Yinka Ayefele denied it and the matter was taken to court.
However, big names like Baba Hezekiah Ojo of the CAC and Senwele Jesu family intervened.
Yinka Ayefele later left Ibadan and went to Ogbomoso to beg Baba Okoto Jesu.
According to Baba Okoto, Yinka Ayefele promised to do something for him but never fulfilled that promise.
Unfortunately, organisations like MTN Nigeria using the song for commercial back out.
The statement that shocked me the most was when Baba Okoto said that Yinka Ayefele said he felt the song was just by a nobody he can ‘rubbish’
Do you understand that?
If someone can lift lyrics word for word and claim them as his own, then stealing a melody would seem like a minor issue.
I don’t think there is anything Dr. Yinka Ayefele has not achieved in terms of career success. At his age, legacy and a good name should matter.
But while growing, everyone makes mistakes, Dr Ayefele needs to manage his case with Beautiful Nubia very well. It’s just one of those things.
When I first listened to ‘Igbagbo ireti’ by Yinka Ayefele, I immediately felt like I knew the song before. It was not until later that it was traced to ‘Seven lifes’ by Beautiful Nubia.
Humility can settle this issue silently.
May the Lord give us understanding.
Tosin Odoje ©
