Eteteonline Team
Nigerians woke up to the sad news on September 12, 2023, that one of their young, talented, and promising artists had passed away. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known by the nickname Mohbad, was a rapper, singer, songwriter, and performer. He was buried on September 13, 2023.
Born in Ketu, Lagos, on January 3, 1996, Mohbad started his musical career in 2019. He enlisted at Marlian Records World, with Naira Marley as the executive producer. He released several songs, among them Light, Komajensun, Ponmo, Peace, Sorry, Blessed, and Feel Good. He was nominated for several awards. However, two years after subscribing to Marlian Records, he relinquished the brand in 2022.
Mohbad died in mysterious circumstances on September 12, 2023. He was alleged to have suffered from an infection and was ministered to by a quack nurse. The 27-year-old music star died after the treatment, leaving behind his wife and a son. His father, Joseph Aloba, described him as a simple and modest person.
Many people, mostly Mohbad’s fans, believed that he died in a suspicious and questionable circumstance, which required police interrogation. This led to public protests and calls for justice for the late artiste.
Following his decision to abandon the Marlian Records, allegations surfaced that Naira Marley, proprietor of the label, and Sam Larry, whose real name is Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, a Lagos socialite and associate of Marley, had subjected him to bullying, molestation and assault.
Mohbad had in 2022 directly accused Naira Marley of molestation because of his intention to quit the Marlian music label.
It was reported after Mohbad’s death that he had reported to the police incidents of assault and malicious destruction of property by Sam Larry. Larry a music patron and an affiliate of Marley had sometimes recruited hoodlums to disrupt his video recording.
However, both Sam Larry and Naira Marley have denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death. Larry “I did not kill Mohbad; I love him too much, and God sees my heart; I don’t know anything about Mohbad’s death.” Also contrary to widespread speculations and accusations, Naira Marley on September 26 strongly denied any involvement in the death of Mohbad through his Instagram account. According to him:
In the last few days, there has been a lot of onslaught on my person and reputation globally over the
death of my former signee. All manner of stories has been woven against me in respect of his untimely
death.
I have not only been in shock over the death of the deceased, whom I considered to be my brother and
member of our music family but over the various lies spread and threats against me.
Before I progress further, let me say that as it is traumatic for a lot of people to bear the reality of Ileri’s
death, so it is to me. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace, and may God grant his family the
fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Lagos State Police Command in response to the allegations, decided to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the singer’s death. It set up a 13-man special investigation squad to unravel the cause of death. Consequently, Mohbad’s body was unearthed on September 21, 2023, for autopsy, and the unlicensed nurse who treated him was arrested by the police. There will also be a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of Mohbad’s death. The inquest had been scheduled to commence on October 13, 2023, and would allow witnesses to testify.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State has also invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to join in the investigation.
As a part of the probe, the Lagos State Police Command has arrested Sam Larry. He was taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. According to a police statement, “Sam Larry was arrested at the airport after he arrived from Kenya. Our officers arrested him at the airport, and he was immediately taken to the state police headquarters for questioning.”
The Lagos State Police Command has also arrested and detained Naira Marley, whose real name is Azeez Fashola, for interrogation. Another person invited by the Lagos State Police Command for questioning is Mohbad’s friend, Owodunni Ibrahim, also known as Prime Boy. He has been declared wanted, following his failure to respect police invitation.
The police obtained an order from a Lagos State magistrate to remand Naira Marley and Sam Larry in their custody for 21 days. Meanwhile, the duo has filed a fundamental rights enforcement action at the Federal High Court in Lagos to contest their continued detention. they want the court to declare their incarceration “at the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State since October 4, 2023” a breach of their rights. They are also asking for N20 million damages from the police and magistrate who ordered their detention.
On November 6, 2023, a Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos granted Naira Marley and Sam Larry bail in the sum of N20 million each. Other bail conditions include the provision of three sureties, surrendering of their international passports, and weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
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