A human rights group has expressed disapproval of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, for conducting a press conference on the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, without the presence of autopsy results.
The body of Mohbad had been exhumed for the purpose of conducting an autopsy.
Owohunwa had earlier held a press conference where he provided an update on the case, despite the fact that the autopsy results had not been released. (1)
In response to this, the Save The Poor And Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI) expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos CP’s statement.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Yemi Bello, the group referred to the CP’s statement during the press conference as divisive and an attempt to divert attention. (2)
“The press conference and statement made by the Lagos police CP without the availability of autopsy results does not serve the cause of justice. SPANCI acknowledges the credibility and professionalism of the IGP as well as the efforts of the Lagos State Police Command CP in investigating and uncovering certain mysteries surrounding Mohbad’s death.
“However, we are not content with the release of the Lagos CP’s press statement on Mohbad’s death without the accompanying autopsy results.
“This raises suspicions, considering that the issue at hand is not only a national concern, but also drawing attention from the international community. Therefore, the Lagos CP should have waited for the completion of the autopsy, especially since a court order was obtained to detain the suspects for 21 days, within which we believe the autopsy results would have been available.”(3)
“These actions have raised some questions for which we demand answers from the police. Is the Lagos CP acting under any form of pressure or instructions, and if so, who is giving such orders? Why did the Lagos CP make a press statement before receiving the autopsy results?
“Is the statement conclusive, diversionary, and prejudiced regarding the cause of Mohbad’s death? What then is the significance of the autopsy results, when the police have already provided information on how Mohbad died? (4)
“Does the investigative power of the police override the decision of the court? Did the police conduct a fair and just investigation into the allegations made by Primeboy against the deceased’s wife? The hospital stated that Mohbad was brought in dead, but what about the individual who claimed in a viral video to have seen Mohbad walking into the hospital unaided and even took photos with him, only to be shocked by later events? I believe that further investigations are necessary if justice is to be served,” Bello said.(5)
