MOHBAD: ENSURE FAIRNESS, GROUP URGES LAGOS CORONER
International Observers in the Pursuit of Justice, a human rights organization, has urged Lagos State Chief Coroner, Adedayo Shotobi to be impartial during the current inquest into the death of late singer, Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad.
The group expressed concerns about the way Mohbad’s case is being handled in a statement released on Sunday by its chairperson, Victoria Janolewsky.
It also demanded justice, equity, and fairness in the situation.
The group told the coroner, āIf by any slightest chance, you can no longer preside over this case due to personal reasons or biases, respectfully and gracefully recuse yourself.
āWe, the international observers, will implore your honourable magistrate to allow equity, fairness and justice to prevail in this matter, knowing that silence in the face of injustice is a perversion of justice as everyone is equal before the law and all are under the rule of law.
āIf the case of Mohbad is appropriately adjudicated, it will serve as a judicial milestone and a resounding deterrent to the society which will set a new precedence for the community at large, emphasizing the sanctity and dignity of human life.ā
The group added, āThe Federal Republic of Nigeria is by far a country of law and order to the highest degree, whose pristine standards should not be dented by any persons or personalities.
āWe noticed that when one of the witnesses by the name of Spending was about to narrate the incident that transpired on the 3rd Mainland Bridge between the deceased and Wunmi Cynthia Adebanjo, the live-in partner of the deceased, you interjected and told him to calm down.
āThis singular action made him lose his train of thought and further intimidated and suppressed his already low self-esteem and confidence, leading to increased anxiety level, as evidenced in the ensuing panic attack. These are cardinal signs and symptoms of panic attack under this circumstance.ā
In the interest of justice, the group said every witness should be called and allowed to tell their side of the truth freely without any fear or intimidation.
It added that such witnesses should be protected and high security provided to ensure their lives are safe under the Witness Protection Act.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27 in Lagos State.