Socialite Sam Larry has denied assaulting or harassing late singer Mohbad, stating during his testimony at the coroner’s inquest that their relationship was strictly professional and tied to show promotions.
Sam Larry, who has been widely criticized over his alleged involvement in Mohbad’s death due to a viral video, told the court that trouble began after Mohbad failed to honour a performance at his birthday party in Dubai, despite being paid N2 million.
“I am a show promoter. The only relationship I had with Mohbad was to give him shows. I never harassed or molested him. I have never beaten him before,” he said.
“I wanted to celebrate my birthday in Dubai and I gave Mohbad N2million to perform but he didn’t show up. I spent over N20million to bring him to the birthday party because I told him to come with his wife and manager.
“This made me so unhappy with him. I sent him a message on Instagram to refund my money but he didn’t reply. I went to report him to my lawyer and my lawyer called him but he didn’t pick.”
Sam Larry recalled encountering Mohbad on June 25, 2023, during a video shoot at Elegushi Beach.
According to him, he demanded his money but didn’t confront Mohbad aggressively.
“When I got there, I saw Mohbad and Zlatan. I didn’t talk to Mohbad but I told Zlatan that Mohbad would not leave there without giving me my money, but Zlatan begged me and settled it for us.
“Infact I waited for them to finish their shoot and we all went to eat amala including Mohbad. Zlatan is my witness.”
He said Mohbad later filed a petition against him at Alagbon, accusing him of attacking him and destroying equipment—claims he denied.
“Mohbad wrote a petition against me and the police at Alagbon invited us three times but Mohbad did not show up.
“Infact I was detained the first day I went to answer the petition and I was shocked to see that he said I brought sticks to the beach to beat him and destroy his musical equipment, but that wasn’t true.”
He added that he filed a counter-petition and maintained that the N2 million was never refunded.
“Till he died, he didn’t pay my N2million,” he said.
Reacting to a viral video in which he was heard saying “won ti gbe sin” (he has been buried), Sam Larry explained that the clip was from 2013 and unrelated to Mohbad.
“It was an old video of 2013 that I did on my Snapchat. I have the evidence with me. I was only joking in that video.”
Sam Larry further advised the court to focus on those who were with the singer in the final 24 to 48 hours before his death.
“They know what really happened to him,” he said.
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27 under controversial circumstances.
He was buried the next day in Ikorodu, Lagos, but his body was later exhumed for autopsy following a public outcry and demand for justice.
His death sparked widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation, with many fans and celebrities pointing fingers at those previously accused of bullying or threatening him.
The controversy surrounding his death continues to draw attention as the inquest proceeds.
