By Dipo Olowookere
A showbiz promoter, Mr Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, otherwise known as Sam Larry, is now in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The spokesman for the Lagos Command of the police, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this development in the wee hours of Friday.
Sam Larry has been linked with the death of a fast-rising musician, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, professionally known as Mohbad.
The singer died in a controversial manner on September 12, 2023, and was also suspiciously buried in the Ikorodu area of Lagos. His death has generated global interest, with some people using his case to campaign against bullying.
He was said to have had issues with his former record label, Marlian Music, owned by a controversial singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley.
According to reports, Mohbad was bullied and harassed by Sam Larry, who has a close tie with Naira Marley. The late 27-year-old artist also made videos during his lifetime of his harassment.
After his demise, a video also surfaced online showing Sam Larry at one of Mohbad’s music video shoots with some people wielding dangerous weapons like machetes and others.
Since the singer breathed his last, the Lagos socialite has been underground, making videos to exonerate himself from the death of Mohbad. His friend, Naira Marley, has also claimed not to “directly or indirectly” have a hand in the demise of his former signee.
The corpse of the late rapper has been exhumed for autopsy and a coroner inquest ordered by the court.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also tasked the police to do a thorough job on the matter. He said this after a picture showed him with Sam Larry and Naira Marley.
Giving an update on the matter, Mr Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said one of the main suspects in the case, Sam Larry, was currently in their custody assisting with the investigation.
“Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, aka Sam Larry, is now in our custody. He is currently assisting with [the] ongoing investigation,” the spokesman for the police in Lagos said.
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