A group of Nigerians in the diaspora has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an impartial and thorough investigation into a controversial video linked to the death of singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The group’s request came after a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, where Nollywood actor Yomi Fabiyi claimed that Mohbad’s brother, Adura, had confessed to possessing a full video of a fight involving the late music star and his partner, Wunmi.
PUNCH Metro reported that Mohbad’s mother, Abosede, clashed with Fabiyi during the press conference over the allegations made against Adura.
Abosede, who reacted in defence of her son, said she would have spoken up had she known the cause of Mohbad’s death.
In a statement seen by our correspondent on Wednesday, the diasporans through its forum, The Critical Thinkers Group, said the video, which was reportedly in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command homicide department was believed to be crucial in uncovering the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death.
Signed by its spokesperson, Toby Bart, the group in the statement noted that it was alarming that the command appeared to be reluctant to link the video to the ongoing homicide investigation, but instead focused on allegations of impersonation.
The statement partly read, “During the press conference, Adura Aloba admitted to possessing the full version of the video. He claimed the video captured a serious altercation involving Mohbad, Cynthia, and one other unidentified person, which he suggested could be linked to Mohbad’s death. However, Adura refrained from providing further details about the third individual involved.
“It is highly concerning that the Lagos Police Command appears reluctant to link this crucial video to the ongoing homicide investigation, but instead focused on allegations of impersonation.
“Given that the video is reportedly in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command and the Panti Lagos Homicide Department, it is shocking that the case is being reframed as impersonation rather than addressing the video’s importance to the homicide case. We urge the Inspector General of Police to ensure that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted into this new evidence and the confession by Mohbad’s brother.”
The group further stated that the video needed not to be tampered with, while it called for a forensic analysis of Adura’s phone.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached for a reaction as calls made to his telephone were not responded to. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
Fabiyi had on Friday, December 13, 2024, filed a petition at the Lagos State Police Command, alleging that the deceased’s brother initiated an Instagram chat wherein he claimed to have video evidence of how Mohbad died.
Fabiyi in the petition he posted on his social media handles alleged that the chat went on with Adura demanding the sum of N3m to be paid in Bitcoin in exchange for the video evidence.
However, Adura denied the allegation stating that the chat was from his friend whom he had sold his phone to.
Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. The Lagos State Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.
His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, amongst others.
The singer’s body was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.
