The family of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission over the handling of the investigation into his death by the Lagos State Police Command.
The head of the family’s legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, disclosed this in a statement he signed and sent to PUNCH Metro on Thursday.
Odumosu in the statement noted that how the case has been managed raised serious questions about the officers’ professionalism, diligence, and integrity.
The family specifically demanded the replacement and probe of all police officers involved in the case.
While highlighting what he described as lapses in the investigation, Odumosu alleged that the officers in charge mishandled the crime scene.
He stated, “Upon the initial report of Mohbad’s death to the Police, the crime scene was not cordoned off, a fundamental step in preserving critical evidence. This oversight is a severe lapse in protocol and undermines the investigation’s credibility. By failing to secure the scene, the police allowed potential evidence to be contaminated or destroyed, significantly hampering any efforts to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
“There is evidence that Ilerioluwa Oladimeji installed CCTV in his apartment and it was functional. However, upon the incident of his death, the DVR of the newly installed and functioning CCTV was removed. Yet the professional investigators saw nothing wrong in such and kept mute about it.”
The statement also cited an alleged inadequate response to the family’s report when the deceased father, Joseph Aloba, took his son’s body to the police station to obtain a police report which he needed to present at the morgue.
Odumosu said instead of receiving prompt assistance and support, by initiating an immediate investigation and potential arrest, Mohbad’s father was allegedly denied the police report after waiting about three hours.
The family also alleged that the police overlooked the evidence and testimonies revealed at the Coroner Court’s proceedings about a reported altercation in the late singer’s home before his death.
While also citing lack of forensic examination, possible cover-up, and lack of transparency, Odumosu alleged that the whereabouts of the deceased phones which could potentially provide crucial clues regarding the circumstances leading to the singer’s death were yet to be explored by the police
“Again, the scene of the crime which should have been sealed off by the police to preserve evidence was inexplicably left open. This lack of security in the scene is unimaginable and highly unprofessional. It compromises the integrity of potential evidence and undermines the investigation. The selective presentation of evidence and the lack of action on crucial testimonies raise serious concerns about a potential cover-up.
“It is imperative to question who the officers might be protecting, on whose instruction, and why such a high-profile case is being handled with such apparent disregard for standard investigative procedures.
“His lawyer was said to be present at his residence even when Mohbad’s parents were not yet told Mohbad was dead at the material time.
“Who invited him? What did he come to do at such a dark period of the day? He was not invited for questioning. The presence of a medical doctor would have raised no query but a lawyer’s presence at such an inauspicious time is surely telling,” the statement further disclosed.
While making its demand known, the family called for the replacement of the current team handling the investigation in Lagos State by experienced investigators from the force headquarters.
“These investigators should conduct a comprehensive and unbiased investigation, considering all available evidence and testimonies. Bring all police officers involved to justice.
“All the policemen right from the Police Post at Lekki to the present investigating officers should be investigated, their bank accounts scrutinised and other issues to ensure that the officers are brought to justice,” the statement added.
Reacting, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “Since it is a petition before the IG as you claimed, we await his position on that before we know what to do,”
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, did not respond to calls made to his telephone.
A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
