By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Chief Lukmon Fowotade, popularly known as Bobalabe, tragically passed away on Saturday, leaving behind a cloud of controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the death of Honorable Samsondeen Ali over a land royalty dispute in Oworosoki, Kosofe area.
Hon. Samsondeen Ali, a former councillorship aspirant allegedly murdered by the suspects.
SEE: Late Hon Samsideen’s Burial Arrangements Unveiled
The late Bobalabe was allegedly connected to the death of Hon. Samsondeen Ali, a former councillorship aspirant of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward B, who met a tragic end in the last quarter of 2023. Hon. Ali was brutally attacked by thugs claiming to be landowners while he was in the process of erecting a fence for security reasons at his residence on Aralamo Street.
The assailants, identified as Nurudeen Suraju and Lukmon Taiwo (Bobalabe), confronted Hon. Ali, demanding payment of N5,000 before allowing him to proceed with the construction. When Hon. Ali refused, he was viciously assaulted with a shovel and a plank, sustaining severe injuries to his head and chest.
Despite being rushed to Afolabi Medical Hospital in Suraju’s vehicle, Hon. Ali’s injuries were grave, prompting medical professionals to advise transferring him to a government hospital. However, Suraju fled the scene, abandoning his car.
Following a police manhunt, both suspects, Bobalabe and Nurudeen, were arrested and remanded in police custody in December 2023. Legal proceedings were underway, with the suspects scheduled to appear before the court on Monday, March 4th, 2024.
However, amidst ongoing arrest, detention, arraignment, and prosecution, Chief Lukmon Fowotade passed away on March 1st.