Court Grants Mohbad’s Family Permission for Independent Autopsy

The Coroner’s Court in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has granted the family of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, permission to conduct an independent autopsy and toxicology test.

 

This decision follows the family's request due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding Mohbad's death and their dissatisfaction with the previous autopsy conducted by the Lagos State Government, which was deemed inconclusive.

 

In a statement obtained by Punch on Friday, head of the family's legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, confirmed that the court, during its sitting on Wednesday, ordered that all legal expenses related to the autopsy and toxicology test would be borne by the Aloba family.

 

Additionally, the court mandated that Mohbad's father, mother, and wife be present during the autopsy.

 

“The court has ordered that all legal expenses for the conduct and process of the toxicology test would be borne by the Aloba family. The deceased’s father, mother, and wife are also required to be present during the autopsy," the statement read.

 

Odumosu emphasized that the application for an independent autopsy was necessary due to the suspicious nature of Mohbad's death on September 12, 2023.

 

The family expressed a strong desire to obtain a second opinion to clarify the circumstances surrounding his demise.

 

The family's legal team, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Wahab Shittu and Odumosu, previously rejected the initial autopsy and toxicology test results. They advocated for an independent assessment during a press conference on June 17, 2024.

 

While the court approved the request for an independent autopsy, it did not grant the application to recall witnesses who had previously testified.

 

However, the court did allow the family to call new witnesses, provided they supply further details for the issuance of witness summons.

 

Mohbad's wife, Wunmi, also applied for permission to bury the late singer. The court indicated that the burial could proceed if all parties, including Mohbad's father, mother, and wife, agreed.

 

If an agreement cannot be reached, the matter would be referred to the High Court for resolution.

Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27.

 

His death has been surrounded by controversy and speculation on social media. Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command established a 13-man special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to probe the circumstances of his passing.

 

Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, among others, were arrested in connection with the case.

 

Mohbad's body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

 

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had previously tweeted that the autopsy had been concluded and the police were awaiting results.

 

In April 2024, The PUNCH reported that the toxicology test had been completed and sent to the pathologist for analysis and interpretation. The family now awaits the outcome of the independent autopsy and toxicology test to gain clarity on the circumstances of Mohbad's untimely death.