Oyebanji Urges Police to Unravel Mysteries Surrounding Mohbad’s Death

•Youths protest in Ogun, Ondo

•Lagos police sets up 13-man Special Investigation Team

James Sowole in Abeokuta, Fidelis David in Akure and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the police authorities to unravel the mysteries surrounding the death of fast rising music star, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, professionally called Mohbad.

This was as some youths and sympathisers in their hundreds, yesterday, stormed the streets in both Ogun and Ondo States, protesting the untimely passing of the music star.

But in a seeming response to the situation, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Idowu Owohunwa, has inaugurated a 13-man Special Investigation Team to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.

Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the minimum the country owed the deceased and his family was justice, which he said could only come through a thorough investigation of the circumstances leading to his death as well as various revelations that came out thereafter.

The governor spoke yesterday just as Ekiti youths had also planned to hold a procession in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital to mourn the late Singer and demand justice for him.

Describing Mohbad as a talented singer, who at 27 had already carved a niche for himself in the entertainment world with several hit songs to his credit, Oyebanji said the death of the singer at the peak of his career and the circumstances surrounding it were highly regrettable.

While extending condolences to   members of the late singer’s  immediate and extended families as well as his fans worldwide, he urged the Nigeria Police to investigate the death and ensure that justice was done.

“Our condolences to the family and fans of the late singer, Mohbad. We feel their pains at this crucial moment and join other well-meaning Nigerians to demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to his death,” he said.

However, in Abeokuta, some youths who were fans of the late singer, staged a peaceful protest  to demand for justice over the mysterious death of the singer.

The youths, in their hundreds adorning black T-shirts began the rally from Panseke and went through Oke-Ilwo, Isale- Igbehin, Sapon to Ake with placards bearing various inscription.

The protest by the youths caused traffic snarl on route taken by the protesters.

Some of the inscriptions read, “Justice for Mohbad”, “Government Must Arrest Naira Marley and Sam Larry”, Who killed Mohbad”, “No more Marlian”, “Sammy Larry must die”, “Imole must be avenged”, and “Too young to go at 27”, amongst other messages.

The protesting youths while speaking with newsmen insisted that the Nigeria Police must bring the duo of Naira Marley and Sam Larry to book. They also demanded that other persons mentioned in the death of the singer be duly invited for questioning.

In Akure, the Ondo State capital, the youths also took to street to protest the death of Mohbad. The protesters in their hundreds took to the streets wearing black shirts in honour of the late singer as they chanted ‘Justice for Mohbad’.

Some bore placards with inscriptions such as “Say No to Marlian Music”,  “Justice for Mohbad” and “We want a coroner’s inquest into Mohbad death”, amongst others.

The presence of security operatives comprising men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) were also observed as the youths marched through NEPA, Arakale and Oba Adesida roads. The protest caused heavy traffic across major routes in the town.