The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has authorized Mr. Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, to contest the legal advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that exonerated singer Azeez Fashola, popularly called Naira Marley, and others from involvement in his son’s death.
Justice Taiwo Olatokun, presiding over the case on Friday, granted Aloba leave to pursue a judicial review. The court also ordered that the motion be served to Lagos State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, along with the relevant hearing notice and the court’s order.
The ex parte motion, filed through Aloba’s legal representative, Wahab Shittu, SAN, urged the court to invalidate the DPP’s advice, which led to the release of Naira Marley, Samson Eletu (also known as Sam Larry), Owodunni Ibrahim (aka Prime Boy), and Babatunde Pere. Aloba argued that the advice was both premature and unlawful.
He emphasized that the legal directive and subsequent acquittals by the Yaba Magistrate Court undermined the ongoing coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death, which began on September 29, 2023, and remains unresolved.
According to the court filing, “In response to the Applicant’s request to investigate the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, a coroner’s inquest was initiated with suit number COR/IKD/10/2023 before Magistrate T. A. Shotobi. The inquest commenced on September 29, 2023, and proceedings are still ongoing.”
Despite the pending outcome of the inquest, the Yaba Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, discharged the four suspects on February 26, 2025, based on the DPP’s legal advice.
Aloba also claimed that crucial individuals mentioned during the inquest were released prematurely and had not yet provided testimony to clarify their involvement in the case.
Additionally, he alleged that both the police and the DPP issued the legal advice without notifying the coroner, thereby hindering the inquest’s responsibilities.
The filing stated, “Though representatives from the police and the DPP were active participants in the inquest, the case file was forwarded to the DPP without informing the coroner. Despite being aware of the ongoing investigation, the DPP proceeded to issue legal advice, which led to the discharge of the main suspects in Mohbad’s controversial death.”
The case is scheduled for hearing on June 17.
