Today marks one year since the tragic demise of popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known to fans and music lovers as MohBad. Yet, the clouds of uncertainty still hang heavily, as justice remains elusive despite the outcry from Nigerians his father, Mr Joseph Aloba, fans and loved ones alike.
New Telegraph recalls that MohBad died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of 27 and the circumstances surrounding his death still generate a lot of controversies on social media.
Going down memory lane, it would be recalled that MohBad was a former signee of Marlian Music which was owned by Nigerian music star, Azeez Fashola, popularly known by his stage name Naira Marley. But MohBad opted out in 2022 due to some allegations that were not resolved before his sudden death.
Prior to his death, there was a series of reports that Mohbad was subjected to all forms of intimidation, harassment and assaults following his withdrawal from the Marlian Records, an act many believed contributed to his death.
Mohbad’s wife, Omowumi also affirmed that her husband quietly fought many battles from the industry’s bigwigs and forces till his death.
However, a few days before his death, Mohbad attended a musical concert at Ikorodu Town Hall on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the invitation of Soso Soberekon to promote De-General Bitters beverages.
Mohbad attended the event in the company of his wife, Cynthia Omowumi Aloba and their five-month-old baby, Liam; his childhood friend, Ibrahim Oluwatosin Owoduni (better known as Prime Boy), and Mohbad’s Personal Assistant, Adeyemo Boluwatife (Darosa) all of whom were in the Prado Jeep which was hired by Mohbad for the event and driven by Fidelix Esanbor.
Others who accompanied MohBad in separate vehicles include Ayobami Sadiq (Spending), Aduragbemi Shedrack Aloba, Mohbad’s younger brother; Ajisegiri Sultan Ayobami, Mohbad’s DJ; Aderinto Fawas Ademola (Adewest), Mohbad’s friend, and Olanrewaju Idris Adedoja (OG), his Photographer.
At the end of his performance on his way out of the venue with his entourage, he discovered that his vehicle had been blocked by other vehicles, while some of his fans and Area Boys also mobbed him.
Mohbad, who from eyewitnesses’ evidence was said to be tipsy and hyperactive, became infuriated and attempted to come down to clear the road, but his friend, Ibrahim restricted him for security reasons.
This further infuriated MohBad and degenerated into a hot argument and physical fight between the two of them. In an attempt to hit Ibrahim with a blow, MohBad missed his target and smashed the rear window of their Prado Jeep causing him an injury on his forehand and he bled profusely.
Upon arrival at home on 11th September 2023, MohBad refused to go to the hospital to treat his injury despite persistent persuasion by his wife, staff and friends including the Prado Jeep driver whose vehicle was damaged.
Later in the day, the injury deteriorated causing Mohbad unbearable pains which led to his friend Ayobami Sadiq (Spending) insisting that he must go to the hospital for treatment.
Again, Mohbad declined and opted to call his personal nurse identified as Nurse Funmi, who unfortunately was unavailable.
At this point, Ayobami Sadiq (Spending)
offered to call his own nurse, Ms Feyisayo Ogedengbe, to attend to MohBad, a suggestion that MohBad agreed to.
When Feyisayo was contacted on Monday 11th September 2023, she was also unavailable but promised to come the following day, Tuesday, September 12, 2023. However, the nurse arrived as promised with injections to be administered.
Immediately after the injection was administered, Mohbad started reacting to the injections, vomiting while goose bumps appeared on the face and all over his body before he ended up convulsing.
Eventually, Mohbad’s wife; his brother, Aduragbemi Shedrack Aloba; Olarewaju Idris Adedoja, Ayinde Habib Idowu Damola, Aderinto Fawas Ademola, and the nurse rushed him to the hospital in the vehicle of Engr. Chinaka Jesse, their neighbour.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Cura-Med Hospital, Lekki.
Not convinced, the team moved his body to Perez Hospital, Lekki where his death was re-certified. A death certificate was later issued by Cura-Med Hospital.
With the father’s consent, Mohbad was buried in Ikorodu the next day, September 13, 2023.
MOHBAD’S BURIAL SCENE
Mohbad’s sudden and shocking death was laced with controversy which later caught police attention and further probe into his death. The social movement #JusticeforMohBad became one of Nigeria’s largest social movements which has attracted media attention internationally, after the #EndSARS
movement.
Following the call for justice, the Lagos State Government through the State Police Command on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.
His death also led to the arrest of his former record label boss, Naira Marley, and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, Prime Boy amongst others.
The body of Mohbad was on September 21, 2023, (8 days after the burial) exhumed for an autopsy to unravel the actual cause of his death and a coronal inquest was also launched in order to carry out a concrete investigation and give just to MohBad.
Unfortunately, month in, month out, despite thousands of Nigerians seeking #JUSTICEFORMOHBAD with multiple investigations launched, it is saddening that none have delivered the clarity or closure that Mohbad’s family and fans desperately seek.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had tweeted in September 2023 that an “autopsy has been concluded” and the police were “awaiting result.”
However, the autopsy report on the late singer, Mohbad revealed drug reaction as a possible cause of his death. Also, anatomical and pathological tests revealed an injury on Mohbad’s right forearm and moderate to severe decomposition of his body.
According to the report, no significant gross findings could be attributed to his death.
As the world mourns the loss of the 27-year-old rising star, what began as grief, and sympathy for the deceased; a bright light which deemed in its prime has since evolved into frustration.
Amid the turmoil and ongoing investigation to unravel the cause of Mohbad’s death, his wife, Wumi Aloba, has found herself at the centre of a storm.
Grieving the loss of her husband, Wunmi has faced enormous pressure while protecting their young son, Liam. This includes undergoing a DNA test to ascertain Liam’s paternity and fending off a barrage of questions from Mohbad’s fans online, who have been using the hashtag “who killed Mohbad.
Adding to the pressure, Wunmi’s father-in-law, Mr Joseph Aloba, has made allegations against her, claiming she knows the true cause of her husband’s death and has been unfaithful, noting that Liam his not MohBad son, calling for DNA to be conducted to ascertain the truth. This statement was also confirmed by Wunmi’s biological sister, Karimo, a United States (US) based in her TikTok live stream.
Joseph Aloba is also demanding a DNA test to determine the paternity of her son, Liam, implying that he may not be MohBad’s biological child.
Meanwhile, when authorities requested a DNA test to confirm the paternity of Liam, Wunmi refused, sparking speculation and further complicating an already delicate situation. Some argue that her decision was out of fear or distrust of the investigation process, while others claim it casts a shadow on her intentions.
In order to set the records straight, Wunmi clarified that she can only obey an injunction from a reputable court of law as regards conducting a DNA for her son.
But Wunmi is not alone in this controversy as popular Nigerian celebrity, Iyabo Ojo, known for her activism and outspoken nature, has stood by her side as well as Tonto Dikeh.
Critics have accused Iyabo of shielding Wunmi from the public eye and blocking the pursuit of justice.
What started as a heartfelt defence of a widow has, in the eyes of many, transformed into something more sinister—a calculated effort to withhold critical truths.
In the build up to the one year anniversary of Mohbad’s death, Nigerian Celebrity, Yomi Fabiyi called for peaceful protest to further push their request for justice on the anniversary day.
However, Mohbad’s father rejected such protest as he pleaded with well Wishers to halt any intention of such.
In like manner, Mohbad’s mother, Abosede in a video captured at the court on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, which happens to be a day to MohBad’s one year anniversary expressed her dissatisfaction with the current handling of the case.
Her plea comes as the investigation into the controversial death of the singer continues at the Lagos Coroner’s Court.
She emphasized that the actions of those involved had brought no joy to the family and appealed for a resolution to be handled internally.
For the fans and followers of Mohbad, today remains a painful reminder of Starlight who was snuffed out in the darkness with unanswered questions as the body of the deceased lays unrest in the morgue awaiting justice.
The streets of social media have been flooded with tributes, but also with the same question that has haunted many for months: Why has justice not been served? What Killed Mohbad?