The inquest into the tragic death of Nigerian singer Mohbad is drawing to a close, with all parties eagerly awaiting the coroner’s final verdict.
At the Friday session held at the Magistrates’ Court in Ikorodu, Lagos, the Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, announced that the judgment date would be communicated later.
This news came after the last testimony by forensic pathologist, Dr. Uwom Eze, who was called in to perform a second autopsy following public outcry.
Dr. Eze, while being cross-examined by Abiodun Kolawole from the African Women Lawyers Association, made a striking revelation.
Contrary to earlier allegations, the late Mohbad was not found to be abusing hard drugs.
Rather, “regulated doses of antihistamines and painkillers,” commonly used to treat allergies and manage pain, were found in his system. This finding painted a clearer picture of Mohbad’s health condition before his death, showing he was battling significant discomfort.
However, the pathologist also pointed out an important limitation during his examination.
Due to a lack of information and post-mortem changes, he could not determine exactly how the injection that allegedly preceded Mohbad’s death was administered.
“Even a newborn baby won’t die from that injury,” Dr. Eze stated, referring to a superficial wound found on the singer’s right arm.
“At the time I conducted the autopsy, the injury wasn’t even there, perhaps due to post-mortem changes.”
Meanwhile, during earlier testimonies, Dr. Eze mentioned that the actual cause of death could not be conclusively determined because of the advanced decomposition of the body.
Nevertheless, he raised the possibility of a “severe and rapid hypersensitivity reaction” caused by a substance administered through an injection.
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, passed away on September 12, 2023, after reportedly receiving an injection at his home in Lekki.
Sadly, he suffered convulsions shortly after the treatment and died, leading to his burial the next day.
Moreover, when responding to questions from Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel to Mohbad’s family, Dr. Eze described the treatment given to the late singer as resembling a “medical misadventure.”
This points to the possibility of unintended medical errors that could have contributed to the loss.
In addition, the clearing of false drug abuse claims helps restore some dignity to Mohbad’s name.
As the coroner’s decision approaches, hopes are high that justice and truth will finally be served.
More importantly, it is a step toward ensuring that the late singer rests peacefully, free from the burden of false narratives.
Indeed, the Mohbad death investigation shows why truth must always be pursued, no matter how painful the journey may be.
