Nigerian police announced on Thursday evening that an autopsy conducted on Mohbad’s body earlier in the day has been completed. But they have not yet issued an official statement on what happened to the Afrobeat singer, whose death is now tearing Nigeria apart.
A candlelight vigil is being held in his honor — amid persistent calls for justice. Youths stormed the streets of Lagos, with many holding candles and phones. “At the rate at which the crowd is huge, we cannot guarantee their safety. We have pleaded with them to go home; all of them want to stay,” said one of the mourners and organizer of the vigil. Davido, Falz, and other renowned celebrities performed at his funeral.
Investigation underway
Investigations into the cause of the death of Nigeria’s singer, Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, have entered a decisive stage after police announced that they have completed an exhumation of the body.
The Lagos State Police command said an autopsy will be conducted on the remains as part of further investigations into his death.
“Exhumation completed. Autopsy to commence,” Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesman for the state police command, tweeted Thursday. They later announced that the result is known, though it has not been made public.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023 — following his death, there have been allegations of assault on Mohbad by Naira Marley and his crew.
Controversy!
Tongues have been wagging ever since Mohbad was pronounced dead.
Local media said, “The nurse who treated the late singer and reportedly gave him an injection before his death was the first to be arrested as part of investigations.”
Before the exhumation of the remains for an autopsy, police investigators “had established that the musician was beaten by the same people who always threatened and harassed him, after a show he had in Ikorodu.”
He was said to have sustained injuries following the beating, leading him to seek the services of a nurse at home.
Mohbad is being mourned across Nigeria and beyond.
Mohbad MMI gathered and started convulsing after being given injections, one of which was said to be an anti-tetanus shot, a toxic vaccine that prevents tetanus, a life-threatening bacterial infection.
“He started convulsing and died at home after the treatment. He was confirmed dead at the hospital,” said police sources.
Mohbad’s father, James Aloba, had said in an interview that he suspected the auxiliary nurse who injected Mohbad before he died. Other sources have also been questioning the statements from Mohbad’s father, given that he buried his son less than two days after he died.
Naira Marley accused
One of the prime suspects in the case is Naira Marley, a popular Nigerian singer.
Naira is repeatedly mentioned, according to testimonies made by Mohbad before dying.
On October 6, 2022, Mohbad made a series of posts that read, “The events of the last two days have left indelible scars in my heart. I have always wanted to create good music and provide for my family and myself through my music. As an artist from the street, I thought the Marlian family would be a good place for me.”
Mohbad went on to say, “However, recent events and certain truths have come to light that threaten my peace, health, and career. Because of these issues, I informed Naira Marley on the Marlian WhatsApp group chat of my intention to change my manager.
“This didn’t go down well with my current manager, Tunde (his brother). There were instant angry outbursts and protests from him in the chat. I went to Naira Marley’s house with my producer and my friend on the 4th of October, 2022, to have this conversation and reach a peaceful resolution.
“We were in the studio, and some of the guys who work with Naira—Sid, Shuddy, Seyi, and others—were present, as well as Naira and Tunde. I noticed Tunde was quite agitated as we started the discussion. In the middle of the conversation, Tunde became violent and attacked me.
“The guys I was with were also attacked, humiliated, and stripped naked by Sid, Shuddy, Seyi, and some of the other boys. We were barely able to escape. Three of us had to be checked into the hospital to get medical care for the injuries sustained during the assault.
“Naira Marley was fully present throughout this event and, in fact, coordinated some of the attacks as he instructed the boys to beat us up. Some of this was captured on video
“It is therefore disrespectful for Naira Marley to insinuate that I started the attack because I was intoxicated, as he is fully aware of the facts and circumstances surrounding this violent attack. It is not the first time Naira has lied to push his own narrative, but it will hopefully be the last.”
MMI can, however, not confirm any of these claims. Naira Marley has also called for justice and investigations into Mohbad’s death.
Authorities ignore prior warnings
The late Mohbad wrote a petition to the Nigeria Police Force, reporting multiple threats to his life from controversial socialite Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.
Mohbad, on June 27, 2023, filed the petition captioned “Petition of threat to life, malicious damage of properties valued at the sum of five million naira, assault occasioning harm, oppression, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace” against Sam Larry and Oba Elegushi of Eti-Osa, Lagos State.
However, the police failed to act on the petition.
Meanwhile, his mother has said she believes her son was killed
Police vows to uncover the truth
With clouds surrounding the whole saga, the Lagos State Police Command inaugurated a 13-man special investigation panel to unravel what caused the death of the singer.
According to state police commissioner Idowu Owohunwa, “the command would engage INTERPOL in its investigation. “Do not forget, we have unique access to INTERPOL.”
“Everybody linked to the death of Mohbad will be identified, and they will be brought to establish their level of involvement,” he assured.
