In a significant development in the case involving the untimely demise of fast-rising singer Mohbad, a Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos State has granted bail to two individuals of interest, Azeez Fashola, widely recognized as Naira Marley, and Balogun Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry.
The court’s decision was handed down with a bail amount set at N20 million for each of the defendants, accompanied by three responsible sureties.
This case has garnered substantial attention since Mohbad’s tragic passing on September 12, which led to the arrests of Naira Marley and Sam Larry.
Larry was apprehended on September 29, while Marley was taken into custody for questioning on October 3. Subsequently, on October 4, the Lagos State Police arraigned the duo before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court, while also seeking a 30-day remand for further investigation.
However, Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, in her considered judgment, ruled that the suspects be remanded for a period of 21 days instead of the requested 30 days. Notably, the police failed to release Naira Marley and Sam Larry even after the remand order expired on October 26, leading the two to file a fundamental rights suit in which they challenged their prolonged detention in police custody.
In this lawsuit, the police and Magistrate Olatunbosun were named as defendants, with both Marley and Larry demanding N20 million each in damages.
In a recent development, the Yaba Magistrate’s Court has now granted bail to Naira Marley and Sam Larry, with each defendant required to post N20 million bail and provide three responsible sureties. Additionally, as part of the bail conditions, the magistrate has ordered both individuals to surrender their international passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Panti.
In an unprecedented move, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun sternly cautioned that any attempts to directly contact her would be recorded and potentially disclosed in open court proceedings. This warning emphasizes the need for due process and underscores the importance of the ongoing investigation into Mohbad’s death.
The granting of bail to Naira Marley and Sam Larry marks a pivotal moment in this high-profile case, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold. The Nigerian public eagerly awaits further developments and revelations as the investigation progresses.
