By Abiola Olawale
The autopsy conducted on the remains of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba popularly known as Mohbad, was unable to give actual cause of his controversial death, a forensic scientist and pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Sunday Osiyemi, has revealed.
The pathologist gave this verdict during the sitting of the coroner’s inquest on Wednesday.
Speaking further, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, while addressing the press at the coroner’s inquest held in Lagos State on Wednesday, said the pathologist in charge of the autopsy told the coroner that the deceased’s body had decomposed by the time the test was conducted.
Shittu said the pathologist added that the body ought to have been exhumed within 12 hours after it was buried to avoid decomposition.
He said: “According to him (pathologist), the cause of death cannot be determined because by the time they conducted the test, the body had decomposed and that it is not possible for them to determine the cause of death. So, in summary, he is saying the cause of death cannot be ascertained. And when you say the cause of death cannot be ascertained, it means it is suspicious, it is not clear. No particular reason.”
According to Shittu, the pathologist further stated that the late singer might have died due to a reaction to certain drugs administered to him before he died.
The senior counsel also urged the public to remain calm and not to react sharply to the verdict of the pathologist, adding that the coroner is still going ti cross-examine the report of the autopsy.
He continued: “Don’t react until you have seen the full report. As I speak to you, I have not seen the full report. The court has advised that we should apply for the full report. If somebody says this is the final verdict. He must have reasons why he said so. So, look at not only the final verdict but look, also, at the reasons he gave before arriving at the final verdict.
“What is important is that this pathologist has given his evidence today and we have taken a day to cross-examine and ask him questions on the report. Until those questions are asked, we cannot say this is the outcome.”
Mohbad, a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, died on September 12 at the age of 27, admist controversial circumstances.
Following the public outrage after the death of Mohbad, the Lagos State Police Command on 21 September 2023 exhumed Mohbad’s body for autopsy due to uncertainties surrounding his death.
The Lagos State Police Command also inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the death of the late musician.
His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.
