Mohbad Was Never Arrested By NDLEA – Spokesperson

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has refuted the claim that went viral in the media that the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, was arrested by the agency.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said, “We also heard the unsubstantiated allegation on social media that Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, was arrested and detained by the NDLEA on February 24, 2022, and given a substance to drink. In response to this allegation, we wish to state categorically that Mohbad was never arrested; neither was he ever detained in the custody of the NDLEA on the said date or any other date before or after. The foregoing being the case, the issue of giving him any substance to drink does not arise.”

The NDLEA also stated that contrary to a claim by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, that the police were expecting feedback from the anti-narcotics agency over an inquiry into the singer’s death, it had responded to the police’s inquiry since September 28, 2023.

In a letter dated September 28, and signed by the Deputy Commander-General of Narcotics, Josephine Obi, which was obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, the NDLEA categorically informed the police that Mohbad was neither arrested nor detained in the custody of the agency.

According to Babafemi, “Following media inquiries on the claim by the Lagos State Police Command at a press conference on Friday, October 6, 2023, that it was yet to get a response from the NDLEA on social media allegations bordering on alleged arrest and detention of the late artiste, the agency will like to state that indeed, its response was sent and received by the police since Thursday, September 28, 2023.

“Indeed, to show the seriousness with which the agency treated the issue, our formal response dated Thursday, September 28, 2023, was sent by flight to Lagos, delivered and received by the police on the same day.”

While briefing the media on the results of the police’s investigation so far on Friday, October 6, Owohunwa said, “While re-assuring that the command will sustain its firm determination to ensure justice in this case, I wish to assure that the members of the public will be availed of any further development in relation to the outcomes of the autopsy and toxicology reports, DPP advice, feedback from NDLEA and any other development in the investigation into this case.”

• Yusuf Oketola