Unsolved homicides: Mohbad – CSOs police capacity and honesty on trial

Civil society organisations have expressed scepticism about the police’s ability to identify those responsible for music singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba’s (also known as Mohbad) inexplicable murder in the middle of the commotion, protests, and vociferous calls for an investigation.

Following a series of alleged fights and assaults he allegedly endured from former record label, owner, and well-known musician, Azzez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), disturbing videos and a threat-to-life petition to Nigeria Police were leaked on social media, sparking outrage over the shocking death and quick burial of Mohbad last week.

The police assembled a top-notch team of detectives to look into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death in response to the fervent demands for justice made by common Nigerians and celebrities.

The Department of State Services, DSS, was also invited to participate in the inquiry into the death of the 27-year-old musician, according to a report on Tuesday from OBASANJO NEWS24.

The deceased artiste’s autopsy has already been finished, the police stated on Thursday. On Thursday night, this was verified via a post on the official X account of the Nigerian Police. For that reason, Mohbad’s body was excavated earlier this week.

Civil society organisations have expressed scepticism over the Nigeria Police’s functionality, capability, and integrity to unravel the issues surrounding Mohbad’s death despite the police’s promises to conduct thorough investigations.

Okechukwu Nwanguma, executive director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), one of the rights campaigners, stated on Tuesday that Mohbad’s case and others rekindle a critical examination of certain questions:

“As a functioning institution, does the Nigerian Police uphold professionalism and discipline? Does it have a history of treating crimes and other situations with promptness, thoroughness, impartiality, honesty, openness, fairness, and diligence?

“Other questions would be: Does service discipline still exist inside the NPF? Considering the acts, inactions, and body language of the police leadership about some historical and recent cases.

“Are police techniques equipped with a professional focus, forensic capabilities, and the resolve and dedication to sift through the truth and evidence that could help effective criminal prosecution and conviction?

“Are the Nigeria Police known to observe the rule of law and adhere to due process while processing cases? Are NPF investigators capable of pursuing justice impartially and with focus?

Or are they willing to pervert the course of justice and sell it to the highest bidder if they are available for hire?

In a statement provided to OBASANJO NEWS24, Nwanguma briefly discussed a few examples that revealed the Nigerian police’s lack of discretion and thoroughness in their inquiries.

“In the Mohbad case, documents have come to light that indicate the late singer petitioned the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State, alleging, among other things, that a music promoter named Samson Balogun (aka Sam Larry) and others had threatened his life, caused malicious damage, assaulted him, and subjected him to oppression.

In the petition dated June 27, 2023, Mohbad claimed that Sam Larry and 15 other men, who were all armed, had entered the location of a video shoot where the dead and another musician, Omoniyi Temidayo (also known as Zlatan Ibile), were working and had made threats to cause mayhem.

“He further stated that they afterwards assaulted Mohbad and destroyed equipment worth over N5 million at the spot, just before he narrowly fled with injuries.

“Police have come under heavy fire and public criticism for what is believed to be their failure or neglect to act promptly to investigate and take necessary action on the complaint of threat to life made by Mohbad until he passed away in questionable circumstances, with fingers pointing, among others, to the same people against whom he had petitioned the police alleging threat to his life.

However, Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the police’s public relations officer at the FCID Annex in Lagos, claimed that the police were unable to respond to the petition since Mohbad refused to stand up, adopt, defend, and offer proof to back up his claims.

“Now, could it be accurate to say that the police did nothing in response to Mohbad’s complaint simply because the complainant failed to appear to support and adopt his complaint? If he had shown up, would the cops have behaved differently?

I acknowledge that if a petitioner does not appear to adopt and provide more evidence to support his petition, it may be difficult for the police to conduct an effective inquiry.

However, it is also an unwritten rule that in order for the police to conduct an inquiry, the petitioner or complainant must also give some sort of’mobilization. The police are frequently prevented from conducting basic investigations because of official neglect, deprivation, and a lack of cash and other resources.

The complainant showed up, gave testimony, provided’mobilisation’ to support the investigation, and kept in touch to see how things were going, but are there examples where the police have shown negligence and still been powerless to act?

“Are police typically eager to respond to questions about the status of the investigation even after the petitioner has complied with all demands and requirements by the police?”

Nwanguma expressed their worries about the openness, fairness, and discipline of the police by citing further unresolved instances.

Despite a petition from civil society organisations, he stated, “The Delta State Police Command has taken no known action against allegations of obtaining money by false pretence against Harrison Gwamnishu, a self-described human rights activist.”

Nwanguma also brought up a case that hasn’t been settled in Anambra State, where the police haven’t yet shared the findings of their inquiry into claims of organ harvesting, kidnapping, and killing suspects for ransom.

The RULAAC director also discussed the unresolved case of the Ondo Police Officer who sought a N10 million bribe over the phone in exchange for a promise to kill a suspect while they were in jail in order to end the case forever.

“Despite the fact that this was reported in the media and brought to the notice of the Force Headquarters and Ondo State Police Authority, the police have not yet spoken out against the officer.

What crime could be more terrible and terrifying than the demand for a bribe to swiftly execute a suspect while they are in prison in order to end the case forever? questioned Nwanguma.

William Essien, a Community Protection Group (CPG) rights activist, believes that the police’s promises to resolve the dispute surrounding Mohbad’s death and the calls for justice in general should be viewed with extreme mistrust.

I don’t expect much from the continuing police inquiries into Mohbad’s death, the man stated. I mention this because Dele Giwa’s murder serves as a warning that even when the suspects are identified, a lack of proof might prevent a legal conviction.

“Emotions cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, but the stigma attached to the suspects will endure forever.

The largest lesson is that record labels’ murky underbelly, where drugs, cults, and violence frequently lurk, is now in the public eye.

“The death of George Floyd in 2020 provoked outcry all over the world and elevated the Black Lives Matter movement.

“In a similar vein, Mohbad’s passing has sparked a crusade to reveal the nefarious activities of record labels. I ask the Lord for a meticulous and comprehensive police inquiry.

According to history, there have been a few murder cases that appeared to be challenging but were never solved by the police, Essien told DAILY POST.

Peter Attah, a different rights campaigner, likewise had a dim impression of the ability of police to look into Mohbad’s death.

“Nothing will come out of the investigations,” he declared.

“This does not in any way affect the continuing police inquiries into Mohbad’s death. Even though Mohbad’s humble beginnings make the development a tragic tale, Attah continued, “I worry that neither the NPF nor the DSS will make much progress in solving the puzzles surrounding the whole thing.

Even though these CSOs were pessimistic, human rights attorney David Adeneye stated that the police should be urged to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Mohbad’s death controversy rather than being dismissed.

“Since I’ve watched the Nigerian police handle a number of criminal situations, I don’t fall under the category of those who have given up on them.

Therefore, if the police are allowed to undertake a comprehensive inquiry, a lot about what happened to Mohbad will be uncovered. And I hope the guilty parties are brought to account. According to Adeneye, the authorities ought to look into and fully probe the drug connection.

In a same spirit, Nwanguma asked the police to take advantage of Mohbad’s situation to improve their public image.

According to the law, Nigerians are served and protected by the police.

They owe Nigerians explanations for these and a host of other queries.

To redeem the institution and win back the public’s respect, partnership, and support, he stated, “They need to take urgent and thoughtful measures.”