The coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, appointed by the Lagos State government to conduct an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Afrobeat musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, yesterday barred journalists from covering the proceedings.
Magistrate Shotobi, who did not give any reason for her action, instructed security men attached to the court not to allow journalists into the courtroom, in Ikorodu, Lagos.
LEADERSHIP Weekend was later informed by one of the lawyers in court that Magistrate Shotobi told parties in the inquest that the day’s proceedings were to discuss the modalities for the hearing of evidence.
He later fixed the hearing of the evidence for October 13 to enable parties to file their various written depositions.
LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that at the secret proceedings, a Mrs. Funmi Falana, who represented Mohbad’s family alongside other lawyers at the inquest, told journalists after the proceedings that the legal team would bring witnesses to the inquest to ensure that the cause of justice is served.
Via a letter dated Sept 18, 2023, the law firm of Falana & Falana Chamber had asked the chief coroner of the High Court of Lagos State, Justice Mojisola Dada, to unravel the circumstances surrounding what it described as the “very tragic” death of the late Mohbad under “mysterious” circumstances.
In its reply to the firm’s letter, the coroner, Magistrate Shotobi, said she had the directives of the chief coroner of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Mojisola Dada, to convoke an inquest pursuant to the extant provisions of Section 14 & 15 of the Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, Cap C15, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Police arrest Sam Larry
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that one of the persons of interest in the investigation surrounding the sudden death of 27-year-old singer, Promise IleriOluwa Aloba, a.k.a Mohbad, Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, a.k.a Sam Larry, is now in custody.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the development on Thursday via his X handle, added that the controversial Lagos socialite was already assisting the police in its investigation.
LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that the police spokesman had last week confirmed that pathologists had concluded the autopsy on the late Mohbad and that the police were awaiting the result.
The development followed the exhumation of the body of Mohbad by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and health officials.
The police had also arrested the unregistered nurse who reportedly administered an injection on the deceased singer before his demise on Tuesday, September 12.
