CORONER ADJOURNS MOHBAD’S INQUEST, PATHOLOGIST LINKS DEATH TO ALLERGIC REACTION, NOT DRUGS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Coroner’s Inquest set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate the controversial death of Afrobeats singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has been adjourned for final judgment to be delivered at a later date.
Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, presiding over the inquiry at the Magistrates’ Court in Ikorodu, announced on Friday that the date for the final decision would be communicated to all parties involved in due course.
The final session featured the testimony of the last witness in the ongoing fact-finding process, Dr. Uwom Eze, a forensic pathologist who conducted the second autopsy and medical review on the late singer.
During cross-examination by Abiodun Kolawole, a counsel representing the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Dr. Eze stated categorically that Mohbad was not a drug addict. “There was no indication of hard drug use or drug abuse,” he told the court.
The pathologist said Mohbad was found to have received “regulated” doses of antihistamines typically used to treat allergies and analgesics, which suggest he was in significant pain at the time of death.
Addressing the injury on the back of Mohbad’s right arm, Dr. Eze explained that it was superficial and not capable of causing death. “Even a newborn baby won’t die from that kind of injury,” he noted, adding that postmortem changes had already altered the body’s condition by the time he conducted the autopsy.
He admitted, however, that he could not determine how the injection administered to Mohbad was given, due to the loss of bodily fluids and the extent of decomposition.
At a previous sitting, Dr. Eze testified that the cause of death could not be conclusively determined due to the body’s advanced decomposition. However, he did not rule out the possibility of a severe reaction.
“Considering all the postmortem findings, ancillary tests, and available information,” Dr. Eze said, “a major disruption of vital organ systems with resultant fatality due to a severe and rapid hypersensitivity reaction to a substance administered parenterally is plausible.”
Mohbad, aged 26, reportedly died on September 12, 2023, after receiving treatment at his Lekki residence for an injury on his arm. A nurse administered an injection shortly before he suffered a sudden convulsion and passed away. He was buried the next day.
Following widespread public outcry and calls for justice, his body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, on the directive of the Lagos State Government, and an initial autopsy was conducted. However, findings released on April 29, 2024, concluded that the cause of death could not be ascertained due to decomposition of internal organs.
A second autopsy was later ordered by the Coroner in June 2024 after the singer’s family requested an independent review.
When questioned by the family’s lead counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), Dr. Eze described the medical treatment Mohbad received as a possible “medical misadventure,” suggesting that negligence in handling may have played a critical role in the tragedy.
The inquest now awaits the coroner’s final verdict, which is expected to provide direction on possible culpability and the next steps in the pursuit of justice for the late singer.
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