The Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba, on Tuesday, exonerated Nigerian singer, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, alongside music promoter Samson Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, and Owodunni Ibrahim, alias Primeboy, from allegations surrounding the death of late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, in delivering the ruling, cited the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Lagos, which stated that the trio had no case to answer in connection with Mohbad’s demise.
Also cleared of any criminal liability was Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.
However, the DPP confirmed that the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad before his death, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and one of the late singer’s friends, Ayobami Sadiq, would face prosecution for reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015. Their trial is expected to take place at the Magistrate Court.
Recall that the young singer passed away under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, with suspicions of foul play fueling public outrage and widespread calls for justice.
Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley’s Marlian Records, had in the past raised concerns about threats to his life. Viral videos and social media testimonies surfaced following his death, implicating several individuals, including Naira Marley and Sam Larry, in alleged harassment and intimidation of the late singer.
Following his death, protests erupted across Nigeria, with fans and sympathizers demanding accountability.
The Lagos State Police Command later arrested Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Primeboy, and others in connection with the case, while autopsy results were awaited to clarify the cause of death.
However, with the new ruling, their names have now been cleared, raising fresh concerns over whether justice is being adequately served.The decision to prosecute only the auxiliary nurse and Mohbad’s friend has further fueled speculation that key figures may have escaped justice
