Despite widespread outrage and protests demanding answers concerning the death of musician Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (aka Mohbad), civil society groups have voiced skepticism about the police’s ability to identify those responsible.
After a series of alleged altercations and assaults at the hands of former record label owner and popular musician Azzez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), Mohbad’s shocking death and quick burial last week sparked outrage after disturbing videos and a threat-to-life petition to Nigeria Police were leaked on social media.
The Nigerian police, hearing the cries for justice from the public and the media, introduced a top-notch investigation team to look into Mohbad’s killing.
In addition, the Department of State Services (DSS) has been invited by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to assist in the investigation into the death of the 27-year-old musician, as was reported bySAREWA HAUSA on Tuesday.
The autopsy results for the deceased musician were released by police on Thursday. On Thursday night, the Nigeria Police Department’s official X account verified the news. Earlier this week, Mohbad’s grave was opened up for that reason.
Nonetheless, civil society groups have voiced skepticism about the Nigeria Police’s ability to investigate and resolve the difficulties surrounding Mohbad’s death, despite the police’s claims to the contrary.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, executive director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), said on Tuesday that Mohbad’s case and others rekindle a critical interrogation of some questions:
Is the Nigeria Police Department an effective and disciplined organization? Does it have a history of responding quickly to crimes and other situations while also being comprehensive, impartial, honest, transparent, fair, and diligent?
Further inquiries would include whether or not service discipline still exists within the NPF in light of the police hierarchy’s statements, inactions, and body language in relation to specific situations from the past and present.
In order to effectively prosecute crimes and secure convictions, police procedures must have a professional focus, forensic capability, and the determination and dedication to uncover the truth and evidence.
Is it generally accepted that the Nigeria Police follow protocol and maintain the law when dealing with cases? Do NPF investigators have a singular emphasis on delivering justice free of bias?
“Or are they for hire, willing to distort justice and sell it for profit?”
Nwanguma, in a statement given to DAILY POST, quickly surveyed a number of incidents that revealed flaws in the judgment and investigation skills of Nigerian law enforcement.
Documents have surfaced regarding the Mohbad case that show the late singer filed a petition with the FCID Annex in Alagbon, Lagos State, accusing music promoter Samson Balogun (aka Sam Larry) and others of a variety of crimes, including threats to his life, property damage, assault, and oppression.
According to the suit filed by Mohbad on June 27, 2023, he claims that Sam Larry and 15 other armed men attacked the location of a film shoot where the dead and another musician, Omoniyi Temidayo (aka Zlatan Ibile), were working and threatened to cause mayhem.
Eventually, he said, they destroyed equipment worth over N5 million at the location and assaulted him (Mohbad) before he narrowly escaped after incurring injuries.
To paraphrase one article, “Police have faced severe criticisms and public censure for the perceived failure or neglect to promptly intervene to investigate and take necessary action on the complaint of threat to life by Mohbad until he died in uncertain circumstances, with fingers pointing, among others, to the same people against whom he had petitioned the police alleging threat to life.”
But Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCID Annex in Lagos, stated that the police couldn’t do anything about the petition because Mohbad hadn’t been up to adopt, defend, or offer evidence for the claims in it.
Is it possible that Mohbad’s petition was ignored by the police since the complainant wasn’t present to adopt and defend it? If he had shown up, how would the police have reacted differently?
If the police really want to investigate, I admit that it could be troublesome if a petitioner doesn’t show up to adopt and present more proof to back his petition.
As a matter of fact, however, it is also the unwritten standard that the petitioner/complainant would also have to give some’mobilisation’ to enable the police to carry out an inquiry. The lack of resources (such as money) that the police need to conduct even the most fundamental investigations is sometimes used as a reason for this.
“But are there cases where police have shown negligence and still been unable to do anything after the complainant has shown up, made statements, provided’mobilisation’ to support investigation, and continued to reach out asking about the progress of the investigation?”
Once the petitioner has done what the police have asked, how forthcoming are they with information regarding the investigation’s status?
Concerns regarding the police force’s openness, objectivity, and discipline were voiced by Nwanguma, who listed additional unsolved cases as evidence.
According to him, “despite a petition from civil society groups, the Delta State Police Command has taken no known action against allegations of obtaining money by false pretence against Harrison Gwamnishu, a self-proclaimed human rights activist.”
Nwanguma also brought up an outstanding case from Anambra State, where extortion, organ harvesting, and the kidnapping and execution of suspects have been alleged.
The director of RULAAC also discussed an unsolved case involving an Ondo police officer who took a bribe of N10 million over the phone and threatened to kill a suspect in custody if the investigation wasn’t closed.
There have been no known words or actions taken by the police against the officer, despite the fact that this has been publicised in the media and brought to the attention of the Force Headquarters authorities and the Ondo State Police authority.
In order to end a case for good, “what can be more egregious and chilling than demanding a bribe to summarily execute a suspect in custody?” Asked Nwanguma.
Community Protection Group (CPG) rights advocate William Essien agrees that the public’s demand for answers and the police’s promises to investigate Mohbad’s death should be met with skepticism.
When asked about the current police investigations concerning Mohbad’s death, he responded, “I do not expect much.” The murder of Dele Giwa is an example of how insufficient evidence might prevent a judicial conviction even when the perpetrators are known.
Although feelings play no role in a court of law, criminal suspects will always carry the stigma of their association with the crime.
The exposure of the shady side of the music industry, where drugs, cults, and violence are common, is the most important takeaway.
The killing of George Floyd in 2020 galvanized the world and thrust the Black Lives Matter movement into the spotlight.
“In a similar vein, Mohbad’s death has sparked a movement to shed light on the underhanded practices of the music industry. Please God, may the police conduct an exhaustive and careful inquiry.
Essien told DAILY POST, “From history, there have sometimes been seemingly difficult murder cases that remain unsolved by the police.”
Peter Attah, another rights campaigner, was similarly skeptical of the police’s ability to investigate Mohbad’s death.
“Nothing will come out of the investigations,” he predicted.
This information is being released “without affecting the ongoing police investigations” into Mohbad’s death. Attah continued, “I am worried that both the NPF and the DSS won’t do much in unraveling the mysteries about the whole issue. The development is such a tragic story, especially considering Mohbad’s humble background.”
Despite the pessimism of these CSOs, human rights lawyer David Adeneye suggested that the police should be urged to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the dispute surrounding Mohbad’s death.
Having witnessed the Nigeria police settle numerous criminal cases, I can say that I do not share the optimism of those who have given up on them.
Therefore, I am confident that much will be revealed about what happened to Mohbad if the police are given the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation. And may those responsible be held accountable. Adeneye has requested that the police investigate the possible narcotics connection.
In a same spirit, Nwanguma advocated for the police to clean up their image by using Mohbad’s case.
The Nigerian police force has been mandated by law to provide security for the country’s population.
They should provide satisfactory explanations to the Nigerian people.
“They need to take urgent and deliberate measures to redeem the institution and restore public trust, respect, partnership, and support,” he argued.
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