Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rearrested Ayobami Sodiq, popularly known as Spending, a close associate of the late music star Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad), as part of renewed investigations into the singer’s death.
A police source confirmed to PUNCH Metro on Monday that Spending was arrested in Lagos last week and transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at the police headquarters in Abuja, where he is currently being detained.
The source, who requested anonymity, said, “Spending was brought to the force headquarters last week following a petition to reinvestigate the circumstances that led to the death of Mohbad. He was interrogated and thereafter detained.”
The source also disclosed that Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi, was questioned by police last week.
“Mohbad’s wife was also taken in for questioning on Friday. She first arrived on Thursday and went back on Friday, after which she was later allowed to go,” the source added.
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that Spending is in police custody.
He said, “We have the Spending in our custody; Mohbad’s wife is not here with us.”
Meanwhile, a human rights group, the United Advocates Group, revealed that the arrest followed its petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, requesting a renewed probe into Mohbad’s death.
In a statement signed by its counsel, Oluwatosin Adefajo, the group commended the IGP for approving a fresh investigation, noting that the approval came after several petitions and reviews by the police legal department.
According to the statement, the IGP, through a memo referenced CB/7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/Vol.740/195, and signed by DCP Asuquo Effiong on August 15, 2024, had instructed the legal section to review the case.
The group recalled that it first submitted a five-page petition on August 10, 2024, demanding a comprehensive reinvestigation, followed by additional petitions in March, April, and May 2025, accompanied by new evidence gathered through private investigators and legal experts.
Adefajo stated, “The group recounted its experience during this period, including extensive interactions with the Force Public Relations Officer and the Legal Unit, which culminated in an internal review and positive recommendation to the IGP. It also expressed disappointment with the lack of cooperation from FCID Panti and the Lagos Police Command, who failed to provide updates or release certified copies of the investigation report.”
The group added that its persistence eventually led to the IGP’s decision to reopen the case, describing the approval as “a moment of overwhelming joy.”
Background:
Mohbad, a former signee of Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley), died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His sudden death sparked nationwide outrage and led to multiple protests demanding justice.
In response, the Lagos State Police Command set up a 13-man special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to look into the circumstances surrounding his death.
On July 11, 2025, the coroner’s court in Ikorodu recommended the prosecution of Fisayo Ogedengbe, a 37-year-old nurse alleged to have administered a tetanus injection to Mohbad before his death.
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