The Lagos Annex of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Zone 2, Alagbon, has disclosed that they were unable to take action on a petition filed by the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as MohBad. This was due to his failure to appear in person, as the police emphasized that they couldn’t proceed if a petitioner did not step forward to defend their claims.
The police also stated that they had invited music promoter Samson Balogun, also known as Sam Larry, and others for questioning following MohBad’s petition, which was received on June 27. The petition included allegations of assault and other offenses.
Furthermore, the FCID revealed that a lawyer representing Sam Larry and the other suspects filed a counter-petition against MohBad, alleging defamation of character after the singer did not show up to substantiate his claims.
In an interview with PUNCH on Thursday night, Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the spokesperson for the Lagos Annex of the FCID, further disclosed that MohBad failed to visit the police station to formally adopt and defend his petition, as well as provide evidence to support his allegations, which would have assisted the police in potentially prosecuting the suspects.
The background to this issue stemmed from the emergence of a document where the late singer reported alleged threats to his life, malicious damage, assault, and oppression against Samson Balogun (Sam Larry) and others. The incident reportedly occurred during a video shoot attended by MohBad and another artist, Omoniyi Temidayo, aka Zlatan Ibile. The singer claimed that Sam Larry and 15 others, armed with weapons, disrupted the shoot, causing damage to equipment worth over N5 million, and assaulting him before he managed to escape with injuries.
Oluniyi Ogundeyi explained, “We received the petition and followed up on the information provided in the petition, inviting the suspects for questioning. However, MohBad refused to show up to adopt and defend his petition or provide evidence to aid the police’s investigation and potential prosecution. He also never showed up despite the police’s attempts to contact him.”
He added, “The police reached out to MohBad several times, but his non-appearance left them with no course of action when a petitioner fails to step forward to defend their claims and provide evidence to assist the investigation.”
Earlier, the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued an official statement titled ‘MohBad’s Death: We Will Carry Out Diligent Investigation – FPRO,’ expressing condolences to MohBad’s family, friends, and fans. The statement reiterated the police’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation, with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police leading the effort to uncover the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. Adejobi urged those with valuable information to cooperate with the police during this process and cautioned against activities that could undermine the ongoing investigation.