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Mohbad: Court dismisses charges against Naira Marley, Sam Larry, others

By Ngozi Egenuka

25 February 2025   |   11:30 am

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A Lagos Magistrate's Court sitting at Yaba has ruled in favour of the legal advice brought by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP). The advice urged the court to strike out the names of Abdulazeer Fashola (Naira Marley), Samson Eletu (Sam Larry), Opere Babatunde, and Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy) from the charge on the death of…

A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting at Yaba has ruled in favour of the legal advice brought by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The advice urged the court to strike out the names of Abdulazeer Fashola (Naira Marley), Samson Eletu (Sam Larry), Opere Babatunde, and Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy) from the charge on the death of Aloba Oladimeji Ileri-Oluwa (a.k.a. Mohbad) for lack of evidence linking them to the crime.

Ruling on the matter on Tuesday, Magistrate E. Kubenje upheld the no-case submission for the quartet.

Kubenje noted that after careful consideration, she was of the view that a prima facie case of the offence of reckless and negligent acts, contrary to Section 251(e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, had been established against Feyisayo Ogedengbe (nurse) and Ayobami Sadiq, respectively.

The Magistrate also agreed that while an unlawful assault was carried out by Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Babatunde, and Primeboy, it could not rise to the point of criminal responsibility in view of the deceased, Aloba Oladimeji Ileri-Oluwa (a.k.a. Mohbad).

Kubenje added that Mohbad had also previously withdrawn his complaint against Naira Marley, dated October 11, 2022, on assault, on the grounds that the matter had been settled amicably. Hence, the defendant has no case to answer.

The court therefore ruled that Ogedengbe and Sadiq shall be prosecuted for the offence of recklessness and negligence, which is contrary to Section 251(e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, at the Magistrate’s Court.

She also ruled that Sam Larry, Naira Marley, Primeboy, and Babatunde respectively have no case to answer in view of the demise of the deceased and should be released if still in custody and remain on their former bail conditions.

The Magistrate then adjourned to March 24, 2025, for mention.