David Adeleke aka Davido has been arrested and quizzed by the police for giving false information about the death of his friend, Tagbo Umeike, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal said on Wednesday.
However, an autopsy conducted on Umeike was said to have died from suffocation.
While briefing the press in Lagos, Imohimi Edgal disclosed that Davido has been reinvited for questioning.
According to Edgal, the autopsy report revealed that Tagbo died of suffocation, adding that he was abandoned in his car at the hospital by Davido’s driver and two of his friends.
Edgal said Davido has been reinvited for questioning because he lied that he only knew of the Tagbo’s demise while he was at a night club, DNA in Victoria Island, a claim that has been found to be untrue.
Edgal revealed that the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footages obtained from the General Hospital, Lagos, revealed that Davido’s escort Hilux vehicle driver and two of his (Davido’s) friends took the deceased to the hospital and abandoned him there.
He said: “On October 3, at about 9:20am, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of General Hospital Lagos, Oparanti Moshood alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Lion Building that an unidentified male was brought in dead (BID) in an Ash Toyota Camry Saloon car marked LSD378EL by two unidentified males.
“From the international passport found in the deceased’s car, the DPO gave his identity as Tagbo Umeike. Immediately after, one Caroline Danjuma, an actress and the victim’s fiancee, published on her Instagram page that her boyfriend died in the company of one David Adeleke alias Davido and friends.
“To be objective and verify facts, I called for a pre-investigation meeting in my conference room. In attendance were all parties including family, friends of the deceased; those of Davido; Caroline Danjuma; the DPO and investigating officers.
“The meeting confirmed that the deceased Tagbo Umeike on that day, met and had drinks with friends at Shisha Bar amongst whom was Davido. The bar tender confirmed the deceased had as much as 40 tots of Tequila and exhibited signs of drunkenness.
In addition, it was further gathered, the CCTV footage also confirmed that “Davido had told the police he had left Shisha Bar for DNA Nugjt Club in Victoria Island without the deceased and was only informed by mutual friends of his death while he was at DNA.
“However, investigation revealed that Davido’s white Toyota Hilux escort driver, Tunde Usutu, accompanied by one Agbeje Olaoye and one Idris Busari, both Davido’s friends, took the deceased to the General Hospital Lagos and abandoned him in his vehicle on the instruction of Davido.
“The CCTV footage at the hospital picked the escort vehicle and the entire activity. The vehicle was recovered from Davido’s residence at 7, Awoshika Street, Lekki Phase 1.
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“This completely debunks Davido’s claim that he did not know how the deceased got to the General Hospital. The interim autopsy report stated that the victim died of Asphyxia,” CP Edgal added.
Edgal further stated that on the cause of death of two other Davido’s friends who were found dead inside a BMW car marked KJA 631 AY on October 7 at Banana Island, added the autopsy had not been concluded.
“A case of sudden and unnatural death (SUD) was reported on October 7, about 8pm by the CSO Banana Island, Ikoyi, to the DPO Ikoyi that two persons namely, Olugbemi Abiodun and Chime Amechina of Flat Bill, Ocean Parade, were found dead inside one white BMW Saloon car marked KJA631AY, at underground garage in the estate.
“Police operatives raced to the scene and the bodies of the victims were taken to LASUTH, Ikeja for joint medical examination to determine cause of death.
“The victims were found motionless and were confirmed dead by a medical doctor. Further search into the vehicle revealed that wrapped substances suspected to be weeds were recovered and might have been used by the victims.
“Liquid substances were observed on their mouths and nostrils. From investigation by policemen at the scene, there were no visible marks on their bodies.
“The result of the autopsy is still being awaited. The pathologist said there was need for further findings before conclusions could be drawn on the cause of death,” CP Edgal reiterated.