A Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has warned that it may issue subpoenas to key witnesses for failing to appear at the ongoing inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
Magistrate T. A. Sotobi made this decision after granting an application by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, to summon additional witnesses through public notice in a reputable newspaper and on social media. These witnesses include Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley; Samson Eletu, also known as Sam Larry; Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade; nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who allegedly treated the late singer; and driver Fidelis Esanbor, who transported him to the hospital.
Speaking on the matter, Taiwo Odumosu, the head of the Aloba family’s legal team, informed reporters that Mohbad’s close associate, Boluwatife Adeyemo, also known as Darosha, was the only key witness present during the latest court session.
Odumosu added that the magistrate may issue subpoenas to the absent witnesses if they fail to appear at the next hearing.
He said, “Today’s session was focused on questioning witnesses to understand the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death. Among the key witnesses, only Darosha showed up. The magistrate has given them one more chance to appear, after which subpoenas may be issued if they don’t comply.”
The hearing has been adjourned until September 30.
In a related development, Mohbad’s family has expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation into his death. Odumosu, in a statement signed by Emmanuel Oroko of Hilceetee Partner, criticized the police for reaching conclusions based on witnesses’ accounts without conducting a thorough investigation.
He stated, “The police have shown clear bias throughout the investigation, relying on witness statements to draw legal conclusions without explaining their investigative methods or findings. When the court granted us permission to carry out an independent autopsy and toxicology test, the police refused to cooperate. We contacted forensic pathologists, but the police failed to grant them access to vital evidence collected from the scene.”
Odumosu also revealed that the police had not communicated when the pathologists could inspect the evidence and that letters sent to remind them were ignored.
Regarding the embalmment allegedly carried out by Darosha, Odumosu mentioned that no charges have been filed against anyone involved.
He further disclosed that they had petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to remove the officers handling the case due to their apparent mishandling of the investigation. Odumosu appealed to the PSC to investigate the officers who first handled the case and failed to properly investigate the cause of Mohbad’s death.
Mohbad, who was 27 years old at the time of his death on September 12, 2023, left Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley, in February 2022. His death led to widespread controversy, prompting the Lagos State Police Command to establish a 13-member special investigation team on September 18, 2023. Naira Marley and Lagos socialite 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.
