In an ongoing inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, the Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has mandated substituted service for key witnesses.
According to The PUNCH, the court has issued orders to serve summons to individuals including Azeez Fashola, Naira Marley, Samson Eletu, Sam Larry, Mohbad’s sister-in-law Karimot Ogunbayo, Boluwatife Adeyemo, Darosha, and Mohbad’s lawyer Oluwasanmi Falade.
Also on the list are Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the nurse who reportedly treated Mohbad, and Fidelis Esanbor, the driver who transported him to the hospital. Magistrate T. A. Sotobi granted the application filed by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, allowing for the issuance of witness summons through a national newspaper and social media.
The Aloba family’s legal team, represented by Monisola Odumosu, informed PUNCH Metro that this order was granted during the court session on August 16.
They also requested the court to issue Witness Summons to relevant individuals to provide evidence concerning the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s death.
“Magistrate Sotobi, sitting at the Ikorodu Magistrate court Friday 16 August 2024 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 prompt attendance of the new witnesses.
“The application, which was argued by the legal team led by Mr Wahab Shittu SAN (leading Emmanuel Oroko Esq., Miss. Monisola Odumosu, Emmanuel Sadoh, Dr. A.R. Ahmed, Oluyemi Osalusi Esq., Wole Ariyibi and Sadiq Kamo) representing Mr Joseph Aloba, sought an order of the coroner’s court to issue Witness Summons on interested persons as witnesses to give evidence on the connection and circumstances leading to the death of late Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), who died in suspicious circumstances on September 12, 2023. Mr. Joseph Aloba also asked for an order to issue Witness Summons against Nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, Boluwatife Adeyemo (A.K.A Darosha), Karimot Titilayo Ogunbayo, Barr. Oluwasanmi Falade (Mohbad’s lawyer), and Fidelis Esanbor (driver), Azeez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), Balogun Samson Eletu respectively, to give evidence of what they know in connection and circumstances leading to the death of Mr Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), in suspicious circumstances on the 12th day of September 2023 on a date convenient and to be determined by the coroner,” the statement read.
The court has been requested to allow substituted service of witness summons by publishing them in a reputable national newspaper, as previous attempts to serve these witnesses directly have failed.
The legal team for Mohbad’s family also sought permission to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the Investigating Police Officer, ASP Muhammad Yusuf for further testimony.
Akinpelu Ogunbona, representing Ibrahim Owodunni, Primeboy, argued that both Wunmi and the police need to clarify new issues to better understand the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death.
Ogunbona’s request specifically aims to address inconsistencies in Wunmi’s statements regarding a reported altercation at their home.
The court has adjourned the case to allow for compliance with these orders and to ensure that the witnesses are present at the next hearing.
Mohbad, who passed away at 27 on September 12, 2023, has been the subject of intense scrutiny online due to the mysterious circumstances of his death.
As a former Marlian Music artist, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command established a 13-member special investigation team on September 18, 2023.
This investigation has led to the arrest of Naira Marley and Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu (Sam Larry). On September 21, 2023, Mohbad’s body was exhumed for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
