The Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has ruled out foul play but recommended the prosecution of the auxiliary nurse who administered the injection that allegedly led to his death.
Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, who delivered the verdict on Friday at the Ikorodu Magistrate Court in Lagos, stated that the actions of the nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, were both “unlawful and professionally negligent.” The court held that Ogedengbe, who is unlicensed, gave Mohbad an injection without a doctor’s prescription—an act described as a clear case of medical misadventure.
“Pursuant to Section 29 of the Coroner Laws of Lagos State, this court recommends the prosecution of the unlicensed medical personnel, Felicia Ogedengbe, by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, for unlawful medical practice and gross negligence,” the coroner declared.
While foul play was ruled out, the inquest brought several other issues to light. The coroner emphasized that the singer’s earlier petitions to the police — where he accused music executive Naira Marley and associate Sam Larry of assault and intimidation — should have been properly investigated. These revelations, the court noted, were significant and warrant deeper scrutiny by law enforcement authorities.
In a further twist, Mohbad’s father was faulted for proceeding with the burial of his son without insisting on an autopsy, a step that could have clarified the cause of death earlier and avoided much public speculation. Similarly, the singer’s wife was criticized for opting to treat him at home instead of rushing him to a hospital at the earliest sign of distress.
The coroner also addressed the widespread misinformation and speculative narratives that flooded social media following Mohbad’s death. Influencers and content creators were accused of misrepresenting facts during the inquest, an action the court said could undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings.
In her final remarks, Magistrate Shotobi urged improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system and emphasized the need for better regulatory oversight of medical personnel. She also recommended reforms in how law enforcement agencies handle citizen complaints to ensure accountability and public safety.
The case has stirred intense public interest since the artist’s death in September 2023, and Friday’s ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing pursuit of justice for the late musician.
