Court Orders Substituted Service On Naira Marley And Sam Larry In Mohbad Case
A Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has ordered substituted service on several key witnesses in the ongoing inquest into the death of the popular Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad. The court’s decision comes as part of the continuing efforts to clarify the circumstances surrounding the singer’s untimely demise, which has been the subject of widespread speculation and controversy.
Among the individuals to be served through substituted means are Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, and Samson Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, both prominent figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Other key witnesses include Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Boluwatife Adeyemo, also known as Darosha; Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade; nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who reportedly treated Mohbad before his death; and the driver who transported him to the hospital, Fidelis Esanbor.
The court’s decision to permit substituted service was made by Magistrate T.A. Sotobi after an application was submitted by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba. This application requested that witness summonses be served on additional witnesses via publication in a reputable national newspaper and through social media. The legal team representing the Aloba family, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wahab Shittu, argued that these witnesses’ testimonies are crucial for understanding the events leading up to Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023.
In their statement, the legal team, represented by Monisola Odumosu, explained that despite several attempts, traditional methods of serving the witness summonses had proven unsuccessful. Therefore, they sought the court’s permission to use alternative methods to ensure the prompt attendance of these witnesses at the inquest. Magistrate Sotobi agreed with the legal team, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to provide clarity on the matter.
The coroner’s court also granted an application to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, ASP Muhammad Yusuf. The recall was requested by lawyer Akinpelu Ogunbona, who is representing Ibrahim Owodunni, also known as Primeboy. Ogunbona argued that new issues had arisen that required further clarification from both Wunmi and the police to shed light on the exact circumstances leading to Mohbad’s death. The recall is aimed at addressing ambiguities in earlier statements, particularly regarding an alleged altercation that took place in the singer’s home shortly before his death.
The inquest into Mohbad’s death has been a focal point for public interest, especially given the singer’s previous association with Marlian Music, a record label owned by Naira Marley. Mohbad had parted ways with the label in February 2022 under contentious circumstances. Following his death at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, the Lagos State Police Command launched a special investigation team to probe the incident. The investigation led to the arrest of several individuals, including Naira Marley and Sam Larry, as well as the exhumation of Mohbad’s body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy aimed at determining the cause of death.
As the inquest progresses, the court has adjourned the matter to allow for the execution of the substituted service and to ensure the presence of the newly summoned witnesses at the next hearing. The ongoing proceedings continue to capture the attention of the public, as they seek answers and justice for the late singer.
