The Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force (FCID) has disclosed that it invited popular socialite, Samson Balogun, alias Sam Larry and others, after receiving the June 27 petition by the late singer Mohbad, over the alleged assault.
FCID reveals that Sam Larry’s lawyers wrote a counter-petition slamming suits alleging defamation of character after the late singer refused to come to adopt and defend his petition.
This follows a petition which was filed by Mohbad in June after he was assaulted allegedly by Sam Larry and others while on set.
Oluniyi Ogundeyi, the spokesperson for the Lagos Annex of the FCID who spoke with Punch’s correspondent, said that Mohbad failed to show up and provide proof so as to help the police in persecuting the suspects.
Ogundeyi said: “We received the petition and followed up on the information provided in the petition, and the suspects were invited. But Mohbad refused to show up to defend his petition and also provide evidence to assist the police in carrying out a proper investigation and forward the matter to the legal department for prosecution, if necessary.
It is true that Mohbad reported the case on June 27, 2023. The IPO confirmed this to me today (Thursday), and showed me the case file. The IPO revealed that Sam Larry and other suspects mentioned in the petition were invited for questioning and they honoured the invite and also gave their statements. But the deceased refused to show up to adopt and defend his petition, and a lawyer to Sam Larry and the other suspects filed a counter-petition accusing Mohbad of defaming them.
The police even reached out to Mohbad on several occasions, but he never showed up, and there was nothing the police could do if a petitioner refused to defend their petition and provide evidence to help the police in investigating the matter and forward the case file to the legal department if the suspects are found culpable.”
