>
By Emmanuel Adeleke
Controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Samson Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry, has opened up on the events and circumstances that led to the fight and alleged assault involving the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Recall that the Lagos State Police Command had on Thursday confirmed the arrest of Sam Larry in connection with the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Mohbad.
Following his arrest, the embattled show promoter, in a statement released on Friday, said the late singer owed him money and refused to pay.
According to Sam Larry, he had to let go of the money after a series of back-and-forth with the late singer, adding that he hasn’t been paid till now.
“Two years ago, I gave N2 million to lleri to perform at my mother’s annual remembrance concert in lkorodu.
“The boy never turned up, so I called him to ask why. He then said he was not feeling well, and when I asked for a refund, he said he lost his phone and money recently when the NDLEA raided his place.
“Since he was leaving Marlian Records, he claimed he was now broke and had no commitment to repay.
“I left it at that. Later, I heard that this same boy was having a music video shoot next door, practically on the next street to my house. So, I went there to ask for my money again.
“We had an argument that lasted 5 minutes. Even one of his friends insisted he was going to pay the money. Up until today, not one kobo has been repaid, and this incident happened early last year. I have since moved on,” he said.
Clarifying his whereabouts at the time Mohbad died, Sam Larry said he left the country in August for Kenya to look for talented artiste for an upcoming show he was organising.
“I travelled to Kenya to find a new African act that can perform at my mother’s concert this year. I’ve been away since August 20 till now, I don’t know anything other than what was written in the blogs and press.
“I don’t even know where he lives. I don’t know any nurse or doctor or hospital, I don’t know anything about his movement, I don’t have that time,” he added.
He maintained that he did not flee the country and had nothing to do with the singer’s death, adding that he did not know what was going on with the singer before his sudden demise.
”I have lost a lot more than that before, you win some, you lose some. This is my story case closed. I came here willingly and happily. I knew nothing about how the musician died,” he concluded.