Police to probe Mohbad’s death over alleged threat

This followed the emergence of a document on X (formerly known as Twitter) wherein the late singer reported a case of alleged threat to life, malicious damage, assault, oppression, among others, against a music promoter, Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry, and others, in a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State.

In the June 27, 2023 petition, Mohbad alleged that Sam Larry and 15 others all armed, stormed the venue of a video shoot where he and another artiste, Omoniyi Temidayo, aka Zlatan Ibile, were working and threatened to wreak havoc.

He added that they eventually destroyed equipment worth over N5m at the scene, and assaulted him (Mohbad) before he narrowly escaped after sustaining 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 artist by name Zlatan Ibile, the above mentioned persons numbering about 15 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 N5m and started threatening my life.

“In the process, they became violent and assaulted me. I sustained injuries but narrowly escaped. Attached to this petition are the said pictures. Total amount I paid for the shooting they have destroyed is N8m which is non-refundable.

“However, during the assault, they were boasting that they were working for Oba Elegushi and that they had been asked to deal with me for reasons best known to them which till date they are still threatening to kill me if seen. Sir, I call on your good offices to save my life from the above mentioned persons and bring them to book. Thank you for your timely intervention,” the petition partly read.

When contacted by PUNCH Metro over the recent development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a tacit WhatsApp message said, “Ok. I will find out,”

However, in a follow-up official statement entitled, ‘Mohbad’s Death: We will carry out diligent investigation – FPRO’, he noted that the police were committed to a comprehensive investigation into the matter, adding that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police had been tasked to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.

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 jeopardise the ongoing investigation. Your trust and support are deeply valued.”

The PUNCH reports that controversial socialite Sam Larry has come under fire on social media after a video where he and some others were seen harassing Mohbad surfaced on social media.

In the video, Mohbad and Zlatan were on set for a music video when Larry stormed the scene with some boys targeting Mohbad who scampered away in fear.

Zlatan, however, tried to save the situation as he stood up to Larry and his allies to forestall any attack or bullying on Mohbad.

The video left many Nigerians on social media furious as they stormed Larry’s Instagram page to attack him for bullying and threatening the late singer.

Larry, who is said to be an ally of Naira Marley, has since deactivated his Instagram account following the torrents of cyber attacks received since the video emerged.

The PUNCH reports that Mohbad died on Tuesday at the age of 27.

Mohbad’s management also released an official statement confirming his passing away.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Annex, Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2, Alagbon, has denied a viral report alleging that the police have arrested music promoter, Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry, and singer Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, for questioning following the demise of Mohbad.

The spokesperson for the Lagos Annex of the FCID, Oluniyi Ogundeyi, revealed this on Thursday night, in an exclusive telephone interview with our correspondent.

In a related development, the Elegushi Royal Family of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Lagos State, has dissociated itself from socialite, Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry.

The royal family, in a statement released on Thursday, disowned the show promoter.

It clarified that Sam Larry usually came to pay homage to the king and sought royal blessings, just like every member of the public.