Sailou Mballow, 28, better known by his artiste moniker ‘Aya’, is facing four charges, including attempted arson of a building and criminal damage to property in Oshkosh city, Wisconsin state, in the United States.
A criminal complaint was filed on Thursday for the Tuesday fire incident against the Gambian singer who shot to fame as part of the all-boy band Nobles.
According the local FOX 11 News, Mballow had domestic issues with his wife and wanted to be deported to The Gambia and started his car on fire as part of an effort to end his life.
During an initial court appearance Thursday, a US$50,000 cash bond was set. He is expected to return to court on August 3rd for a preliminary hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, Mballow’s wife called police on 11th July, saying that since he returned from The Gambia, Mballow was acting strangely. He had threatened to kill himself if police showed up.
On Tuesday, Mballow went to the Oshkosh Police Department, asking to be deported to The Gambia due to issues with his wife. Police told him it wasn’t in their power to do that.
Shortly after he left, police were called to Mballow’s residence. A vehicle was on fire, causing the home to also catch fire – and damaging the next-door home, as well.
The police report stated: “Sailou Mballow said he had been using articles of clothing in an attempt to light the residence on fire. He explained that he had used gasoline to set the vehicle on fire and had lit the articles of clothing on fire using the fire from the car before attempting to transfer the fire to the residence. Sailou Mballow said that he took the necessary steps as a husband, and that when he ran out of options, he just wanted to kill himself. Mballow said he wanted to burn himself, his clothes, his car, the house, and everything to the ground so that they can leave that place and go somewhere in peace.”
The police said no injuries were reported.
