In a significant development, the Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State, has exonerated prominent musician Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, from any involvement in the death of fellow artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely recognized as Mohbad.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, was based on legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded that Naira Marley had no case to answer regarding Mohbad’s demise.
Alongside Naira Marley, the court also discharged music promoter Samson Balogun, known as Sam Larry; singer Owodunni Ibrahim, alias Primeboy; and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde. The DPP’s assessment found no evidence linking these individuals to the tragic incident.
However, the DPP has recommended the prosecution of auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and one of Mohbad’s associates, Ayobami Sadiq.
They are to be charged with reckless and negligent acts, contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Their trial is set to proceed at the Magistrate Court.
Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley’s Marlian Records, passed away under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27.
His sudden death sparked widespread public outcry and led to numerous protests across Nigeria, with fans and fellow artists demanding a thorough investigation and justice.
In the immediate aftermath, various individuals, including Naira Marley and Sam Larry, were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for questioning in connection with Mohbad’s death.
These arrests were influenced by circulating videos and social media posts alleging harassment and intimidation of the late singer by the accused parties.
The controversy intensified when a petition surfaced online, revealing that Mohbad had reported threats to his life two months prior to his death. The petition, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State, named individuals such as Sam Larry Elegushi and others, detailing alleged threats and the destruction of equipment worth over N5 million during a video shoot with artist Zlatan Ibile.
Despite the serious allegations and public sentiment, the DPP’s legal advice concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Primeboy, and Opere Babatunde. This decision has elicited mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing relief over the exoneration and others voicing concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation.
Conversely, the decision to prosecute nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and associate Ayobami Sadiq underscores the DPP’s focus on the immediate circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death. The charges of reckless and negligent acts suggest that the medical treatment administered to Mohbad prior to his passing is under scrutiny.
