Mohbad Fans Rally for Justice

Ferdinand  Ekechukwu

Everyone is still talking about Ilerioluwa Aloba, the late singer known as Mohbad and the tragic nature of his death over a week now. From the streets to market places, commuters, artisans and roadside traders all having the issue discussed. His death has sparked series of unprecedented events in Nigeria’s music industry, the latest of which was a candlelight procession in his honour in Lagos.

The procession which commenced at the Lekki Phase 1 Gate, witnessed a very large number of youths and moved to the Muri Okunola Park where a Tribute Star Concert held to celebrate the singer had the presence of Davido, Falz, Dotun, Zlatan and a host of other celebrity guests and artistes. His death has raised concerns across the nation as many believed he was killed.

MohBad’s death is unarguably controversial, fully deserving of the outrage it has generated considering the circumstances surrounding his demise on September 12, 2023. Understandably, there’s been massive outcry. His fans, friends, colleagues, and influencers, well-meaning Nigerians and sympathisers have called for a proper investigation to ascertain the cause of his death.

A chain of protests followed majorly across the South-west states of Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Lagos last Tuesday. Same in some South-south states, all demanding justice for the late singer. Like in Ogun, the protesters stormed Abeokuta, and through some other locations in the state capital, to protest his demise.

The youths who wore black attires converged in their numbers in Abeokuta carrying placards with inscriptions like #Justice For Mohbad, #Justice for Mohbad, #Who off Light, among others. In the same vein, youths gathered in Warri, Delta State last Tuesday, to demand justice for Mohbad, fondly called ‘Imole’. It follows similar protests and an outpouring of grief in other cities across southern Nigeria, like in Benin City, the Edo State capital and beyond.

Videos and pictures of the protests in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and in London, circulated online generating countless posts with comments on social media, and the hash tag #JusticeForMohbad trending all week. In Lagos, some youths defied the state government’s order to not stage a protest. A planned protest by some Nollywood actors and fans in honour of Mohbad, was earlier cancelled last minute following an appeal from the Lagos State government concerning safety, fears it could be hijacked by hoodlums.

The protest, originally scheduled to take place last Wednesday, was intended to run from Oba Akran Road in Ikeja to the Governor’s office in Alausa. But some youths who were not happy about the development staged a protest in Ikeja to demand justice for the music star, whose death is under investigation. The youths were seen armed with placards, bearing various inscriptions like: “Justice for Mohbad”, “RIP Mohbad, IMole.”

Also, youths flooded some areas in Ikorodu, Lagos to protest Mohbad’s death, seeking justice for the Ikorodu born star. In Akure, the Ondo state capital, protesters took to the streets in their numbers, in honour of the singer chanting “Justice for Mohbad”. Some carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Say No to Marlian Music”, “Justice for Mohbad”, and “We want a coroner’s inquest into Mohbad death, among others.

Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Records owned by Azeez Faashola (Naira Marley), died at the age of 27.  Many unfounded reports making rounds on social media are accusing Naira Marley for alleged involvement in Mohbad’s death. Marlian Records however described him as “more than an artiste or signee but brother and dear friend” in a statement.

Recall there have been allegations of several assaults on Mohbad by Naira Marley and his crew. Mohbad, on June 27, 2023, filed a petition captioned “Petition of threat to life, malicious damage of properties valued the sum of five-million-naira, assault occasioning harm, oppression and conduct likely to cause breach of peace” against one Sam Larry and Oba Elegushi of Eti-Osa, Lagos State. However, the police failed to act decisively on the petition.

Meanwhile, Splash FM 105.5, a radio station in Ibadan, Oyo State, has blacklisted the songs of Naira Marley. The ban was said to be indefinite on the songs of the Marlian Records. “To this effect, Naira Marley’s songs have become NTBB (not to be broadcast) on our station till further notice. This is with immediate effect. Thank you.”

A radio station, Fresh FM 106.9 FM, Ado in Ekiti State, also banned the songs of Naira Marley from airing on the station till further notice. The radio station disclosed this in a post shared on its Instagram handle (@freshfm1069adoekiti) and signed by its Head of production and Music Content, Oluwaseunfunmi Williams.  

Also, another private radio station in Ibadan, Agidigbo FM, has banned playing of the artiste’s song for the same reason. Others were Voice Fm, 89.9, also in Ado-Ekiti, NewCruse, 92.6 Fm located in Ikere-Ekiti. The managements of the radio stations appeared unanimous in their decisions which were a fall out of the death of the afro street-pop artiste.

This came as Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, directed the state Police Command, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the music star. Also, concerned residents, particularly youths urged the relevant authorities to ensure justice for the bereaved family and the deceased.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, called for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of MohBad. Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, sympathized with the bereaved family, friends, fans and residents over the unfortunate demise of the rising music star.

The statement reads: “The Lagos State Government has noted the developments that have followed the death of music star Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (aka MohBad). “The Government commiserates with his family and fans. We feel the pain of losing such a talented and promising young man, who made a name for himself in a highly competitive industry.

“Following Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive, the Police in Lagos State have launched a major investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the young star. A 19-man police panel has been asked to unravel the mystery of the musician’s death.

“Further to this and to boost the investigation, Mr. Sanwo-Olu has invited the Department of State Services, DSS, to join the investigation and widen the dragnet with inter-agency collaboration and use of best-in-class technology to unearth the truth.

“Mr. Sanwo-Olu has directed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation. Consequently, the DSS has also joined the investigation to get justice for the youngster, his family and teeming fans.

“The Government pleads with all those who may have vital information that may assist the investigation process to avail the investigating team with such. The government also appeals to the investigating team to guarantee the confidentiality and protection of all witnesses who may come forward with vital information or indicative evidence that may assist the process.

“The government appeals to all friends and fans of the deceased to stay calm and refrain from making inflammatory utterances and reaching prejudicial conclusions on this matter. Staying calm and following the process keenly will be our most solemn tribute to the memory of the departed talent.

“Besides, the grieving family should be allowed to mourn their loss in peace. It is, indeed, a difficult time for us all – the government, the family and Mohbad’s fans. Any action that can aggravate the grief should be avoided. The Police and the DSS have been admonished to brief the public on their efforts periodically.”

In a positive development last Thursday, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the exhumation of the corpse of the late singer. The police also arrested the nurse who allegedly injected the deceased singer prior to his demise on Tuesday, September 12. The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the developments to newsmen.

“Mohbad’s corpse has been exhumed today, and an autopsy will begin as soon as possible,” Hundeyin said.  The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had earlier issued a directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohynwa, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of Mohbad.

Also, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said on Wednesday that Omowunmi, wife of Mohbad, visited him to demand justice for her late husband. Mr. Falana, had earlier demanded a Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Mohbad.

In the demand, Falana said his law firm was aware of the “very tragic death” of Mohbad and wanted an inquest to “be conducted into the cause of death of this young promising musician and make appropriate recommendations pursuant to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007 which provides that an inquest shall hold whenever a coroner is informed that the death of a deceased person within his Coroner District is as a result of a death in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation”.