Popular Nigerian singer Naira Marley and socialite from Lagos, Samson Eletu, better known as Sam Larry, have filed a fundamental rights lawsuit against their prolonged detention in connection with the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, who was 27 years old.
In the lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Naira Marley and Sam Larry joined the police and the magistrate in Lagos, Adeola Olatunbosun, who ordered their remand in police custody for 21 days.
Naira Marley and Sam Larry are each demanding N20m damages from the defendants.
In the suit filed through their lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), they are urging the court to declare that the continued detention “at the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State since October 4, 2023,” constituted a violation of their rights.
They are seeking “an order of the court releasing the applicants forthwith.”
In the affidavits attached to their suits, deponents said, “Their travails started between October 3 and 4, 2023 when they were arrested by the police on the alleged connection of the applicants with the death of one Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.
“On the 4th day of October 2023, the Commissioner of Police sought an order in the Magistrates’ Court, held at Yaba to remand them for 30 days.
“Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun granted the police application to remand them for only 21 days in the custody of the police.
“The 21-day remand order granted by Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun has since lapsed on October 26, 2023, and the order has not been renewed.”
