In a bid to uncover the true cause of death for Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, his family has conducted a fresh autopsy. The move follows an order by Magistrate T.A. Shotobi of the Coroner Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, issued on June 26, permitting Mohbad’s father, Mr. Joseph Aloba, to engage a licensed pathologist for an independent examination.
The court mandated that Mr. Aloba bear all costs associated with the autopsy and related evaluations. According to Monisola Odumosu, a member of the family’s legal team, the autopsy was carried out on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20. If the initial examination does not determine the cause of death, the family plans to conduct further toxicology and histology tests on collected samples.
“The second autopsy requested by the Aloba family and ordered by the Coroner Court Magistrate, Ms. T.A. Shotobi, was conducted on July 19 and 20, 2024. This autopsy is a two-part process, and the first part is now completed,” stated Odumosu. “If the initial examination does not reveal the cause of death, we will proceed with toxicology and histology tests on the necessary samples.”
The procedure was observed by Mohbad’s father and two pathologists appointed by him and Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi. “The comprehensive procedure, conducted last Friday, was witnessed by Mr. Joseph Aloba, the forensic pathologist appointed by him, his legal representatives, and a pathologist appointed by Wunmi Aloba,” the statement continued.
Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Music, passed away at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, under circumstances that have since sparked significant controversy. His departure from the label in February 2022 and his subsequent death led the Lagos State Police Command to form a 13-man special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to probe the incident. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial socialite Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry.
Mohbad’s body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy. However, a pathologist testified on May 15 that the advanced decomposition of the body prevented the determination of the cause of death. Compounding the confusion, a report revealed that a US-based lab refuted claims by the Lagos State Government that it had conducted a toxicology test on Mohbad.
On May 17, Esther Dede, Client Services Associate, Forensics Division at NMS Labs, clarified,“Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient.”
The family and public now await the results of the latest autopsy, hoping for clarity and closure regarding Mohbad’s untimely demise.
