The Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Afrobeat musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, on Friday, summoned music stars Abdulazeez Fashola, a.k.a. Naira Marley, Owodunni Ibrahim a.k.a Primeboy, and music promoter Owodunni Eletu, a.k.a. Sam Larry.
The Coroner’s court, sitting in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, directed the three suspects to appear before it on October 25, 2023, to testify about their alleged involvement in the death of Mohbad.
Recall that the Lagos State government had set up the inquest following public outcry and a request from the law firm of Femi Falana, SAN over the sudden death of the late musician.
Also, during Friday’s proceedings, the Investigation Police Officer (IPO), ASP Oderinde-Gafar Ajibola from the State CID, Panti, Yaba, informed Magistrate Shotobi that the autopsy conducted on the body of Mohbad was yet to be completed, hence the actual cause of death of the deceased was yet to be determined.
The Coroner instructed the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCID), Panti, to ensure the presence of the music stars at the next adjourned date of October 25.
The Coroner issued the order after taking submissions from interested parties in the matter.
Representing the interested parties in the inquest are Mrs Funmi Falana for Mohbad’s family; Akin George, leading other counsels for the State, and David Nawoola, leading the legal team for TNK Music Worldwide.
Other counsels in the matter are: Abiodun Kolawole for African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), while Mrs O.S. Anyalewechi and C.K. Ezengwa represented NBA Ikorodu branch.
While giving a preliminary account of the Police investigation on the cause of Mohbad’s death, IPO Ajibola informed the coroner that there was no link between Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the Nurse that administered an injection on Mohbad and two other suspects, Naira Marley and Sam Larry.
He also told the Coroner that investigation also revealed that Naira Marley and Sam Larry were not in the country on the day Mohbad died, stressing that this was confirmed with Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) authorities.
The IPO further stated that following the death of Mohbad, his father was invited and he told the Police that his son was administered with an injection that killed him.
Ajibola said further investigation revealed that after a show held on September 10 in Ikorodu, an altercation occurred between one of the suspects, Primeboy, and Mohbad when the deceased was about leaving the venue, having finished his show.
He said Mohbad at that time was with his wife, Personal Assistant and his driver.
He said as Mohbad made to punch Primeboy, the latter dodged it, and his punch hit the glass of a jeep and that the deceased was injured.
The police officer claimed that investigation revealed that the wound festered because it was not taken care of as a result of which the Nurse who administered anti-tetanus injection was invited.
The IPO said investigation revealed that there had been several instances of bullying of the deceased in the past but that they were not the cause of his death.
He maintained that there was no traces of self medication on Mohbad prior to the injection administered on him by the Nurse and that investigation was still ongoing in the matter.
Lead counsel to the State, Akin George, expressed his reservation against the Police for not forwarding the preliminary report of their investigation to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
George said the report of the autopsy was very important in the matter, particularly to many other interested respondents, including counsel to the Aloba family, Mrs Falana, wife of the deceased, and his father, among others.
The Coroner, Magistrate Sotobi, agreed with the submission of the State and urged the Police investigators to fasten their actions.
She said there was the need “for all respondents to know how, when. why, what and who” killed the deceased.
She said this has become important so that the body of Mohbad could be given a befitting burial.
She tasked them all to give their maximum cooperation so as to achieve speedy justice in the matter and ensure Mohbad’s remains were finally laid to rest.
Magistrate Sotobi then adjourned further hearing in the matter to October 25, 2023.