THE Lagos State Police Command has arrested and taken Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, into custody for interrogation over the death of singer Ilerioluwa Promise, known as Mohbad.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, announced this on his X handle Tuesday night.

He said, “Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, has been taken into custody for interrogation and other investigation activities…”

Naira Marley is one of the people suspected to have had issues with the late 27-year-old before his death.

Mohbad was affiliated with Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music, from which he departed in October 2022.

Apart from Naira Marley, the Lagos State Police Command had arrested a music promoter, Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, known as Sam Larry, who many accused of having a rift with Mohbad.

Police arrested him at the Murtala Muhammad Airport after he arrived in Nigeria from Nairobi, Kenya, at about 10 p.m. on September 28 and took him into custody.

However, Naira Marley and Sam Larry have sternly denied having a hand in Mohbad’s death.

In a statement shared by Naira Marley on Tuesday, September 26, through his official Instagram account, he said individuals had accused him of being responsible for Mohbad’s demise. He argued that, like everyone else, he had been shocked by the tragedy.

“In the last few days, there has been a lot of onslaught on my person and reputation globally over the death of my former signee. All manner of stories have been woven against me in respect of his untimely death. 

“I have not only been in shock over the death of the deceased, whom I considered to be my brother and member of our music family, but over the various lies spread and threats against me.

“Before I progress further, let me say that as it is traumatic for a lot of people to bear the reality of lleri’s death, so it is to me. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace, and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, he stated. 

He also emphasized that while he had disagreements with the late singer, they never escalated to harbouring ill wishes towards anyone, and they were actively pursuing a legal resolution to their disputes.

Similarly, Sam Larry distanced himself from any link with Mohbad’s passing.

He said, “I did not kill Mohbad; I love him too much, and God sees my heart; I do not know anything about Mohbad’s death.”

He said he loved Mohbad’s family and would not partake in what would take his life.

The socialite also responded to trending videos where he was seen harassing the deceased. He described the videos as old.

“Those videos circulating online are old, even that video that showed him and Zlatan sitting in a wheelchair. Zlatan is my witness; you can call Zlatan to ask him if I laid my hands on Mohbad. I did not. In the video of him in a club, it was his friend I was having a conversation with. 

“If you watch the video, you will see a few bouncers begging Mohbad to stop the argument because I had started settling the crisis.”

The ICIR reported how Nigerians protested Mohbad’s death, forcing the Police to investigate his killing.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also engaged the State Security Service to support the Police to conduct a thorough job on the probe.

The ICIR reported how the Police announced the exhumation of the deceased corpse for autopsy.  

Marcus FATUNMOLE

Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2022. Contact him via email @ [email protected].