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George Oshogwe Ogbolu
Guest
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has disclosed how destruction during the 2020 #EndSARS protest stalled the investigation into the death of the superstar rapper and songwriter, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as MohBad.
Recall that Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023, initially reported as natural causes, has been marred by skepticism and a public clamour for a deeper investigation.
Despite an official autopsy expected to reveal details of the circumstances leading to his death, the report has sparked further debate, casting long shadows over his family, friends, associates, and the broader Nigerian music community.
At a press briefing on Monday, Pedro stated that the Lagos State government is set to commence trial of Mohbad’s death.
According to him, the burning of the Lagos Forensic Laboratory on the Island during the EndSARS protest contributed to the delay in concluding investigation.
He said, “On Mohbad’s case, I agree there has been a delay and the delay is borne out of time taken for investigation.
“Forensic analysis, toxicology, all this are part of the investigation. And I think what we should learn is that as far as criminal offences are concerned, there is no status of limitation.
“So, it is better to have a complete full-proof investigation that can lead, at least, to a conviction of a case that is presented before a court, than to hush-hush and rush to court.
“It is the same people, complaining about the delay that will be the same people to say the man was brought to court after one week, was discharged, and acquitted just because the investigation had not been concluded.
“If the investigation has not been concluded, it is better for us to be patient.
“But, I can tell you, the toxicology report from the United States has been received for long now. And is with the coroner. We also have a copy.
“But I understand that the family members of Mohbad have also requested the coroner to hold on, that they also wanted to conduct their independent forensic analysis.
“However, this should not stop us now that the report is out. I am very sure if the legal advice was not out last week, it should be out this week. And those to be prosecuted will be prosecuted based on available evidence.
“That’s the position about Mogbad’s case, it’s not a deliberate delay.
“Had the Lagos Forensic Laboratory on the Island not been destroyed during the EndSARS protest, the case would have ended by now.
“We would not have had cause to send the report outside the country for analysis because we had the facility here then.
“It is not cheap to do such analysis. In the US, it runs into thousands of dollars to get it done.
“As for Mohbad’s case, as far as we are concerned, justice would be done.”
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