The family of late musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission regarding the handling of the investigation into his death by the Lagos State Police Command.
In a statement signed by the head of the family’s legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, concerns were raised about the professionalism, diligence, and integrity of the police officers involved in the case. The family has demanded a complete replacement of the current investigation team and a thorough probe into their conduct.
Odumosu highlighted several alleged lapses in the investigation, including the failure to properly secure the crime scene. He noted that the crime scene was not cordoned off, which is crucial for preserving evidence. This oversight, according to Odumosu, significantly undermined the investigation’s credibility and may have led to contamination or destruction of critical evidence.
The statement also criticized the handling of the CCTV footage from Mohbad’s apartment. Despite the presence of functional CCTV cameras, the DVR was removed, which the family claims was not adequately addressed by the police.
Additionally, the family alleged that there was inadequate response when Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, sought a police report at the station. Odumosu claimed that the report was delayed, and the police failed to initiate an immediate investigation or potential arrest.
The family also pointed to issues such as the lack of forensic examination, potential cover-ups, and the failure to explore the whereabouts of Mohbad’s phones, which could hold crucial evidence. They expressed concern over the open crime scene and the selective presentation of evidence, suggesting a possible cover-up.
Odumosu also questioned the presence of a lawyer at Mohbad’s residence before the official notification of his death, implying that it was suspicious.
The family is calling for the Lagos State police team to be replaced by experienced investigators from the force headquarters to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased investigation. They have also requested that all officers involved be thoroughly investigated, including scrutiny of their bank accounts.
In response, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin stated, “Since it is a petition before the IG, we await his position on that before taking further action.”
As of the report’s filing, attempts to reach Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi for comment were unsuccessful, with no response to calls or text messages.