The Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has issued an order for substituted service for key witnesses involved in the ongoing inquest into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. This move is aimed at gathering further information and evidence related to the circumstances of the singer’s death.
The individuals required to be served include notable figures such as singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, and music promoter Samson Eletu, known as Sam Larry. Additionally, Karimot Ogunbayo (Mohbad’s sister-in-law), Boluwatife Adeyemo (also known as Darosha), and Mohbad’s lawyer Oluwasanmi Falade are to be served. The court has also summoned Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the nurse who allegedly treated Mohbad, and Fidelis Esanbor, the driver who reportedly transported the deceased to the hospital.
Magistrate T.A. Sotobi issued the order for substituted service following a request from Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba. The court approved that the witness summons be served via a reputable national newspaper and social media platforms to ensure all relevant individuals are notified to appear and testify.
The legal team representing the Aloba family, led by Monisola Odumosu, stressed the importance of having these witnesses provide testimony about the events leading to Mohbad’s death. They continue to advocate for transparency and justice throughout the investigation.
The coroner’s inquest aims to clarify the circumstances of the singer’s death and to determine if any legal or criminal actions should follow. On August 16, 2024, Magistrate Sotobi, sitting at the Ikorodu Magistrate Court, agreed with Joseph Aloba’s legal team that the new witnesses should be served through substituted means via a reputable national newspaper and social media to ensure their prompt attendance.
The legal team, headed by Mr. Wahab Shittu SAN, alongside Emmanuel Oroko Esq., Miss Monisola Odumosu, Emmanuel Sadoh, Dr. A.R. Ahmed, Oluyemi Osalusi Esq., Wole Ariyibi, and Sadiq Kamo, argued for the issuance of witness summons for individuals connected to Mohbad’s death. The court was also asked to issue summons for Nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, Boluwatife Adeyemo, Karimot Titilayo Ogunbayo, Barr. Oluwasanmi Falade, Fidelis Esanbor, Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley), and Balogun Samson Eletu to provide evidence regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death.
The legal team requested the court to grant permission for substituted service through publication in a reputable national newspaper, given unsuccessful attempts to serve these witnesses directly.
Additionally, the court granted an application to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, ASP Muhammad Yusuf. Akinpelu Ogunbona, representing Ibrahim Owodunni (also known as Primeboy), argued that both Wunmi and the police need to address new issues to clarify the circumstances of the singer’s death. The request was made to resolve ambiguities related to an alleged altercation reported by Mohbad’s wife.
The coroner adjourned the case to ensure compliance with the order and the attendance of the witnesses on the next adjourned date. Mohbad, who died at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, saw his death spark widespread controversy on social media. Having previously been signed to Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. The Lagos State Police Command formed a 13-member special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to investigate the singer’s death, which led to the arrest of Naira Marley and socialite Balogun Eletu (Sam Larry), among others. Mohbad’s body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
