Posted by Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, has begged police authorities and the Lagos State Government not to muddle the ongoing inquiry into the controversial death of Nigerian artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
Olajengbesi stated in a statement on Friday that the inquest into the talented musician’s death must not end up like earlier probes into similar instances when justice was not served.
He recalled similar contentious and tragic events, such as the death in 2021 of 12-year-old precocious Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a boarding student at Dowen College in Lekki, under suspicious circumstances.
In the same year, Olajengbesi reported that 14-year-old Karen-Happuch Akpagher, a student at Premiere Academy in Abuja, died after medics determined she had been raped and a condom had been left in her private part.
“Many other cases of similar unfortunate incidents abound throughout Nigeria, but justice cannot be said to have been served in the majority of cases, particularly in the cases of Sylvester and Karen-Happuch.”
“Let it not be said that after the autopsy on Mohbad’s remains on Thursday, September 21, 2023, the 13-man police investigation committee will not eventually serve justice.”
“Of particular note, the cases of Sylvester, Karen-Happuch, and Mohbad highlight the dangers and failure of failing to address the anti-social behavior of bullying and cultism in our society.” Greater punishments should be applied in order to deter future instances of these vulgar and inappropriate behavior.
“In the case of Mohbad, fingers have been pointed at specific individuals.” The police and the Lagos State Government should not spare these individuals in their investigations.
“The investigation must be carried out thoroughly.” Culprits should be pushed to face the music, regardless of their position or connections. There should be no frightened cows.
“The police must do more than play to the gallery in response to popular outrage. Justice must be done. Because social misbehavior flourishes only when justice is dormant. And this is harmful for our country,” the lawyer said.