A Coroner’s Court in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has ordered substituted service on several key witnesses in the ongoing inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Among those to be served are Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley; Samson Eletu, aka Sam Larry; Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Boluwatife Adeyemo, aka Darosha; and Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade.
Additionally, the nurse who reportedly treated the late singer, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and his driver, Fidelis Esanbor, have also been listed as witnesses.
According to the PUNCH, Magistrate T. A. Sotobi granted an application from Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, allowing for the witness summons to be served via a reputable national newspaper and social media.
The order was made to ensure the prompt attendance of these witnesses at the inquest.
The legal team representing the Aloba family, in a statement signed by Monisola Odumosu, confirmed that the order was granted during the court’s session on August 16.
The legal team, led by Wahab Shittu SAN, argued for the summons to be issued to these individuals to provide testimony regarding the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s death.
The court was informed that previous efforts to serve these witnesses through traditional means had been unsuccessful, necessitating the use of substituted service.
In a related development, the coroner’s court has also granted an application to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the Investigating Police Officer in charge of the case, ASP Muhammad Yusuf.
This request was made by lawyer Akinpelu Ogunbona, representing Ibrahim Owodunni, aka Primeboy, who argued that there were new issues requiring clarification from both Wunmi and the police to shed light on the events leading to Mohbad’s death.
The coroner adjourned the inquest for the orders to be complied with and for the witnesses to appear in court on the next adjourned date.
Mohbad, aged 27, passed away on September 12, 2023, under circumstances that have since sparked widespread controversy on social media.
