The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Saturday tackled the police over claims that it had not responded to an enquiry sent to it on the ordeals of deceased singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad in its custody.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Idowu Owohunwa, had told journalists on Friday that the NDLEA had yet to confirm social media posts that it arrested and detained Mohbad on Feb. 24, 2022.
The inquiry from the NDLEA followed a viral video in which the late Mohbad was seen complaining that he was given a substance to drink at the custody of NDLEA when he was arrested and detained alongside others for a drug offence.
Mohbad had in the video claimed he was the only one given the substance to drink while in NDLEA detention among all those arrested.
However, Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi , in a statement on Saturday said contrary to the claim of the Owohunwa, the agency has responded to police enquiry since Sept. 28.
He also send out a copy of letter of the NDLEA wrote to the police on the matter dated Thursday, Sept. 28 which, according to him, was sent to Lagos by air; delivered and received by the police same day to show the seriousness the NDLEA to the matter.
“The summary of our response was that we also heard the unsubstantiated allegation on social media that the NDLEA arrested and detained Mohbad on Feb. 24, 2022 and he was given a substance to drink.
“In response to the allegation, we state categorically that Mohbad was neither arrested nor ever detained in the custody of the NDLEA on the said date or any other date before or after.
“The foregoing being the case, the issue of giving him any substance to drink does not arise.’’
Babafemi attached an acknowledged copy of NDLEA’s response to his press statement, showing that the police received it in Lagos on Sept 28.
Mohbad (27) died in controversial circumstances on Sept.12 and was buried on Sept. 13, but his corpse was exhumed on Sept 21 for autopsy.
Many fans and celebrities in some states took to the streets in protests following the singer’s death.
They demanded that justice be done as they suspected that there was more to Mohbad’s death than met the eye.
Police have since arrested Mohbad’s music promoter, Balogun Eletu, aka ‘Sam Larry’ and Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley; over multiple face-offs they had with Mohbad before the deceased parted ways with Marlian Records.
Marlian Records is owned by musician, songwriter and music promoter, Naira Marley.
Also in police detention over Mohbad’s death is his close associate, Owodunni Ibrahim popularly known as “Primeboy’’.
(NAN)
