The death of popular singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, has sparked outrage and calls for justice across Nigeria. The 27-year-old artiste, who was signed to Marlian Records Company, died on September 12 in Lagos under mysterious circumstances.
Hundreds of youths in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, staged a peaceful protest yesterday to demand justice for Mohbad. They wore black tee-shirts and carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Justice for Mohbad’’, “Government must arrest Naira Marley’ ‘’ and Sam Larry’’ among others. They accused the Marlian Records boss, Naira Marley, and his manager, Sam Larry, of having a hand in the singer’s death.
The protesters said the police must investigate the cause of Mohbad’s death and bring the culprits to book. They described the singer as a talented and promising star whose life was cut short. They also lamented the poor condition of service and welfare of artists in the country.
Similarly, fans of the late singer in Akure, Ondo State capital, took to the streets to demand justice for Mohbad. They wore black attires, chanted songs and demanded that those responsible for his death should be arrested. They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Say No to Marlian Music”, “Justice for Mohbad”, “We want a coroner’s inquest into Mohbad death”, among others. They were escorted by security operatives from the police and the NSCDC.
Meanwhile, some state governors have also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of Mohbad. Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the minimum the country owes the deceased and his family is justice. He said his administration would support any effort to unravel the mystery surrounding his death. He also sympathized with the artiste’s family and fans.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to join in the probe to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of MohBad. He said he had directed the Lagos Police Command to inaugurate a 13-man probe panel on Monday. He expressed his condolences to the artiste’s family and fans.
A law firm, Falana and Falana Chambers, has also requested a coroner’s inquest into the death of Mohbad.
In a letter dated September 18, 2023, and addressed to the Chief Coroner of the High Court of Lagos State, Justice Mojisola Dada, the firm described the singer’s death as “very tragic” and noted that it happened under “mysterious” circumstances. Folakemi Falana, who signed the letter on behalf of the firm, urged the Chief Coroner to cause an inquest to be conducted to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic death.
