Controversial show promoter, Sam Larry, made a virtual appearance at the ongoing coroner’s inquest into the death of Afrobeat singer, Mohbad. He adamantly denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death or any assault on the late artist.
The allegations against Sam Larry arose after a viral video circulated, sparking public outrage and linking him to Mohbad’s harassment before his tragic passing.
“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,” Sam Larry told the court.
According to him, issues between them began when he invited Mohbad to perform at his birthday party in Dubai, offering the singer N2 million as part of the arrangement. Sam Larry claimed he spent over N20 million to organize the event and facilitate travel for Mohbad, his wife, and his manager. However, Mohbad failed to show up for the performance, which led to tension between the two.
“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,” he added.
Sam Larry recounted an incident on June 25, 2023, at Elegushi Beach, where he confronted Mohbad during a video shoot. He maintained that he did not attack Mohbad and that the situation was peacefully resolved with the intervention of fellow artist Zlatan, who joined them for a meal afterwards.
Mohbad later filed a petition accusing Sam Larry of bringing weapons to the beach and destroying his equipment. Sam Larry stated that he was subsequently invited by police to Alagbon and was detained during the investigation.
Despite being summoned multiple times, he stated that Mohbad failed to appear, prompting him to file a counter-petition.
“Till he died, he didn’t pay my N2 million. He died three months after we met at Elegushi,” Sam Larry said, adding that he learned of the singer’s death while he was in Dubai and felt very saddened by the news.
On the controversial video in which he was heard saying “won ti gbe sin” (they have buried him), Sam Larry claimed it was an old video from 2013, originally shared on Snapchat, and was not related to Mohbad.
He concluded his testimony by urging the court to question those who were with Mohbad within the 24 to 48 hours leading to his death, stating, “They know what really happened to him.”
