Naira Marley and Sam Larry file lawsuit against magistrate and police; demand N40m

Controversial singer Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite Samson Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, have taken legal action by filing a fundamental rights suit against their continued detention in relation to the death of fellow singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, alias Mohbad.

The lawsuit filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, names the police and Lagos magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, who ordered their 21-day remand in police custody, as defendants.
Naira Marley and Sam Larry are seeking N20 million in damages from the defendants.

Their lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), submitted the suit, urging the court to declare that their ongoing detention at the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command’s Panti, Yaba, violated their rights.
They are also requesting an immediate release.
According to the affidavits attached to their suits, their ordeal began on October 3 and 4, 2023, when they were apprehended by the police based on alleged connections to the death of Mohbad.

On October 4, the Commissioner of Police sought an order from the Magistrates’ Court in Yaba to remand them for 30 days. Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun granted the police’s application, but only for a 21-day remand.
Remarkably, the 21-day remand order, which expired on October 26, 2023, has not been renewed.