Nigerian musician Naira Marley, whose real name is Abdulazeez Fashola, and his associate Samson Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, have taken legal action against Lagos State Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun and the police. They have initiated a fundamental rights lawsuit in the Federal High Court in Lagos in order to contest their prolonged detention regarding the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.
In this lawsuit, Sam Larry and Naira Marley are seeking damages of N20 million each from the defendants. Represented by their lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), they are asking the court to declare that their ongoing detention at the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti, since October 4, 2023, constitutes a violation of their rights.
The affidavits submitted along with their legal actions state that their problems began between October 3 and 4, 2023, when they were apprehended by the police on suspicion of their involvement in the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad. On October 4, 2023, the Commissioner of Police sought a court order from the Magistrates’ Court in Yaba to detain them for 30 days.
Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun granted the police’s request, allowing them to be held for a period of 21 days in police custody. This 21-day detention order, granted by Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun, expired on October 26, 2023, and has not been extended.