A Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has ordered substituted service for key witnesses in the ongoing inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad.
The witnesses to be served include Azeez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), Samson Eletu (aka Sam Larry), Mohbad’s sister-in-law Karimot Ogunbayo, Boluwatife Adeyemo (aka Darosha), and Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade. Additionally, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the nurse who treated Mohbad, and Fidelis Esanbor, the driver who transported him to the hospital, are also on the list.
Magistrate T. A. Sotobi granted the application filed by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, to serve witness summons via a reputable national newspaper and social media. This decision was made during the court session on August 16.
The Aloba family’s legal team, led by Wahab Shittu SAN and including Emmanuel Oroko Esq., Monisola Odumosu, Emmanuel Sadoh, Dr. A.R. Ahmed, Oluyemi Osalusi Esq., Wole Ariyibi, and Sadiq Kamo, requested the coroner to issue summons to the aforementioned individuals. The aim is to gather evidence regarding the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023.
The statement from the legal team noted, “Magistrate Sotobi agreed with the legal team of Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, that the new witnesses should be served via substituted means in a reputable national newspaper and social media to ensure their prompt attendance.”
The court was informed that previous attempts to serve these witnesses through traditional court processes had been unsuccessful. Consequently, the court has authorized the publication of the summons in national newspapers and on social media.
In addition, the coroner’s court has granted a request to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and ASP Muhammad Yusuf, the investigating police officer in the case. Akinpelu Ogunbona, representing Ibrahim Owodunni (aka Primeboy), argued that both Wunmi and the police needed to address new issues to clarify aspects of the case.
The request for recalling these individuals is intended to address ambiguous statements concerning a reported altercation at Mohbad’s home. The coroner has adjourned the case to ensure compliance with the orders and to bring the witnesses to court on the next scheduled date.
Mohbad, who passed away on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, had left the Marlian Music label owned by Naira Marley in February 2022. His death has led to significant controversy and investigations, including the formation of a 13-man special investigation team by the Lagos State Police Command on September 18, 2023. Naira Marley and Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu (aka Sam Larry) were among those arrested in connection with the case. On September 21, 2023, Mohbad’s body was exhumed for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
