5th June, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force in Alagbon, Lagos State, have grilled Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa, popularly known Mohbad.
Aloba was grilled by the operatives following a petition by Oba Saheed Elegushi for alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and criminal defamation.
Disclosing this, Aloba’s legal team, led by Monisola Odumosu, said the allegation came on the heels of an interview granted by Aloba recently.
The statement said Aloba explained that he never intended to bully the monarch, stressing that he was only seeking justice for Mohbad.
Odumosu, however, disclosed that Mohbad’s father was not arrested or detained, adding that the monarch only demanded a retraction.
A statement by Odumosu reads partly: “Mr Aloba was invited by the police and led to the police station by the representatives of his legal team, Teri Wellington and Monisola Odumosu. The petition was written by Oba Saheed Elegushi who alleged that during one of Mr. Aloba’s interviews with a London-based blogger, he was criminally defamed.
“During the interview, Mr. Aloba granted the London-based blogger, it was alleged that he said, ‘… his son was bullied and killed on the instruction of Oba Elegushi and that it was one Sam Larry that was sent to do the job…’”
“In fairness to Oba Elegushi, he only demanded the retraction of the defaming statements made by Mr Aloba on social media.
“Mr. Aloba was never arrested or detained. He was granted bail without stress. It is important to note that Mr. Aloba is still grieving the death of his son. He just lost a single star in the family firmament.
“Any grieving parent may on the spur of the moment make statements that may tend to be unreasonable. We only need to understand the geographical circumstances giving rise to his utterances.”
The death of Mohbad on September 12, 2023, had sparked controversies following claims that he was bullied and killed by those around him.