Reno Omokri, a social critic and best-selling author, recently revealed why the autopsy of the late Nigerian musician Mohbad had to be conducted in the United States rather than in Lagos.
Also read: Autopsy reveals drug reaction as possible cause of Mohbad’s death – Report
According to Omokri, the Lagos State Government had previously built the largest and most advanced DNA and Police Forensics laboratory in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in Lagos.
However, this state-of-the-art facility was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests.
Omokri asserts that the laboratory was deliberately burnt down by protesters following a voice note from Nnamdi Kanu, which had gone viral among selected protesters.
In the broadcast, Kanu allegedly listed specific public and private infrastructures to be targeted.
Omokri questions the rationale behind targeting Lagos in the context of the IPOB struggle, suggesting that the destruction was unwarranted and detrimental to the state.
Due to the destruction of the forensic laboratory, Nigeria now faces the embarrassing situation of having to conduct standard forensic examinations and autopsies overseas.
Omokri criticises this state of affairs, arguing that it undermines Nigeria’s credibility and portrays the country as ineffective.
He also contrasts Lagos with other states in Nigeria, emphasising the disparity in governance and infrastructure development.
He highlights that Lagos pays its workers ₦70,000, whereas other states pay significantly less.
Furthermore, Lagos boasts a state-of-the-art red and blue line metro rail system, while some states struggle with basic infrastructure such as bus stops.
Omokri’s message is clear: those who wish to protest should focus their efforts on less well-managed states rather than targeting Lagos, which he describes as a well-managed “paradise” compared to other “hellish” states.
He calls for an end to the destruction of valuable infrastructure and for protesters to direct their grievances towards states with poorer governance.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
