A Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has ordered substituted service on key witnesses involved in the inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
The witnesses include Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley; Samson Eletu, known as Sam Larry; Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Boluwatife Adeyemo, also known as Darosha; and Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade.
The court also listed nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who reportedly treated Mohbad before his death, and Fidelis Esanbor, the driver who took him to the hospital.
Magistrate T. A. Sotobi approved the application by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, to serve a witness summons on these individuals through a reputable national newspaper and social media platforms.
The Aloba family’s legal team, in a statement signed by Monisola Odumosu and sent to PUNCH Metro on Thursday, confirmed that the order was granted during the court’s sitting on August 16.
The legal team also requested the court to issue witness summonses to individuals who may have information about the events leading to Mohbad’s death.
Magistrate Sotobi agreed that the new witnesses should be served via substituted means to ensure their prompt attendance.
The legal team, led by Mr. Wahab Shittu SAN, argued that efforts to serve these witnesses through the court had been unsuccessful, hence the need for substituted service.
Additionally, the court granted an application to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, ASP Muhammad Yusuf, for further questioning.
A lawyer representing Ibrahim Owodunni, known as Primeboy, argued that new issues had arisen that required clarification from both Wunmi and the police.
The coroner has adjourned the case to allow for the service of the witness summons and for the witnesses to appear in court on the next hearing date.
Mohbad, who was 27 years old, died on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances that have sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Formerly signed to Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.
Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command set up a 13-man special investigation team to probe the incident, leading to the arrest of Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and others. Mohbad’s body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy to determine the cause of his
