The Lagos Annex of the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), located in Zone 2, Alagbon, has disclosed that it extended an invitation to Samson Balogun, popularly known as Sam Larry, and other individuals. This invitation came about following a petition received on June 27 from the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, in which he alleged assault and other offenses.
The federal law enforcement agency further stated that a lawyer representing Sam Larry and the other suspects submitted a counter-petition against Mohbad, accusing him of defamation of character after the singer failed to appear to defend his case.
During an exclusive telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday evening, Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the spokesperson for the FCID’s Lagos Annex, revealed that Mohbad did not present himself at the police station to adopt and defend his petition or provide evidence supporting the allegations. Such evidence would have assisted the police in potentially prosecuting the suspects.
This development occurred subsequent to the emergence of a document in which the late singer reported alleged threats to life, malicious damage, assault, and oppression against Samson Balogun, also known as Sam Larry, and others. The petition was submitted to the FCID Annex in Alagbon, Lagos State.
According to Mohbad’s June 27, 2023 petition, he claimed that Sam Larry and 15 other individuals, all armed, forcibly entered the location of a video shoot where the deceased singer and another artist, Omoniyi Temidayo, also known as Zlatan Ibile, were working.
Mohbad asserted that they threatened to cause harm and subsequently caused destruction to equipment valued at over N5 million. Additionally, he alleged that he was assaulted before managing to escape with injuries.
The petition read, “I of the above name and address, a law-abiding citizen and a Musician bring to your notice the assault and threat to my life by the above-mentioned persons.
“On 25th June, 2023, while having a video shoot with another artiste by name Zlatan (Ibile, the above-mentioned persons numbering about fifteen led by Sam Larry Elegushi invaded the premises with dangerous arms such as guns, cutlasses etc where I was shooting video and scattered the whole process of the shooting, damaged the equipment I was using for the shooting valued about Five Million Naira and started threatening my life which in the process they became violent and assaulted me which I sustained injuries but narrowly escaped.
“Attached to this petition is the said pictures. Total amount I paid for the shooting they have destroyed is Eight Million Naira (N8,000,000) which is non-refundable.
“However, during the assault, they were boasting that they work for Oba Elegushi and that they have been asked to deal with me for reasons best known to them which to date they are still threatening to kill me if seen. Sir, I call on your good office to save my life from the above mentioned persons and bring them to book.
“Sir, I call on your good office to save my life from the above mentioned persons and bring them to book,” the petition partly read. Thank you for your timely intervention.”
In response to the latest update, our correspondent reached out to Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCID Annex in Lagos, on Thursday evening. Ogundeyi divulged that the police were unable to take action on the petition because Mohbad chose not to come forward, adopt his statement, defend his position, or furnish evidence to substantiate the allegations he made.
Ogundeyi said, “We received the petition, and followed up on the information provided in the petition, and the suspects were invited. But Mohbad refused to show up to defend his petition and also provide evidence to assist the police in carrying out a proper investigation and forward the matter to the legal department for prosecution, if necessary.
“It is true that Mohbad reported the case on June 27, 2023. The IPO confirmed this to me today (Thursday), and showed me the case file. The IPO revealed that Sam Larry and other suspects mentioned in the petition were invited for questioning and they honoured the invite and also gave their statements. But the deceased refused to show up to adopt and defend his petition, and a lawyer to Sam Larry and the other suspects filed a counter-petition accusing Mohbad of defaming them.
“The police even reached out to Mohbad on several occasions, but he never showed up, and there was nothing the police could do if a petitioner refused to defend their petition and provide evidence to help the police in investigating the matter and forward the case file to the legal department of the suspect’s are found culpable.”
In a previously released official statement titled “Mohbad’s Death: We Will Conduct Thorough Investigation – FPRO,” the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasized the police’s dedication to conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Adejobi further mentioned that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State has been assigned the responsibility of uncovering the circumstances surrounding the individual’s demise.
Adejobi said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of the late Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad, who recently passed away. We understand the concerns regarding his untimely demise.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to a comprehensive investigation into this matter, as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has been tasked to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death. Rest assured, updates will be provided as investigations unfold.
“We encourage family members or close associates with valuable information to approach the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to assist in this process. In the meantime, we kindly request that individuals refrain from making statements or engaging in activities that could jeopardize the ongoing investigation. Your trust and support are deeply valued.”
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