Mohbad’s family rejects autopsy report, demands independent post-mortem

The family of late singer Mohbad has rejected the result of the autopsy conducted on him.

Born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, Mohbad died under mysterious circumstances on September 12 and was buried the next day.

On September 21, the body of the artiste was exhumed. An autopsy was carried out that same day after which the police announced that they were awaiting the results.

In May, Wahab Shittu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the pathologist in charge of the autopsy told the coroner that Mohbad’s body had decomposed by the time the test was conducted.

The pathologist also said the cause of the singer’s death could not be ascertained.

But on June 7, TheCable Lifestyle obtained Mohbad’s autopsy result from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

The result showed that “no significant gross finding” could be attributed to the singer’s death.

The toxicology “revealed the positive finding of Diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine; however, this concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range”.

On Monday, the Aloba family challenged the Lagos state government concerning the autopsy results.

During a press conference led by the family’s lawyers Shittu and Taiwo Odumosu, they demanded an independent post-mortem and toxicology test.

According to the lawyers, the Aloba family was “compelled to denounce the ‘inconclusive’ toxicology test results and demand that re-examination be conducted with the utmost transparency and adherence to the highest standards of forensic science”.

The family also tackled the police for “not doing enough” regarding the investigation into Mohbad’s death.

“We, the legal representatives of the Aloba family, express our profound dissatisfaction and disappointment with the recent announcement regarding the toxicology test results of the late Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, which have been declared ‘inconclusive’ by the pathologist,” the lawyers said.

“This outcome is entirely unacceptable to us and the Aloba family and raises serious concerns about the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation by the police and the medical team into the untimely death of their beloved son, brother, and friend.

“The Aloba family and, indeed, the whole world demand to know where the toxicology test was carried out, as this has impugned its integrity.

“The legal team wonders how the letterhead and the address of the National Medical Services Laboratories in Pennsylvania, USA, appeared on the toxicology test report if the test was not truly carried out in the USA.

“The legal team is puzzled more, given the discrepancies in the further response given by the NMS laboratories ascribing the test to another sister laboratory. The conflict of interest bothers professional integrity.

“The public is interested in knowing the relationship between the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Laboratory, NMS in the USA, and ITSI Biosciences, which allegedly completed the toxicology test on behalf of the Lagos State government.

“The family’s hope that the toxicology test reportedly conducted in the United States would shed light on the circumstances surrounding his tragic passing, has been dashed.”

According to the lawyers, other demands by the family include “a thorough review of the procedures and protocols followed during the initial toxicology testing, which should include an assessment of the chain of custody, handling, and analysis of the samples to ensure that no procedural lapses or contamination occurred”.

“We urge the involvement of independent international forensic experts to oversee and validate the re-examination process.

“Their participation will help restore confidence in the findings and ensure that all possible avenues are explored.

“The Aloba family demands full disclosure of all findings and reports related to the toxicology tests. Transparency is crucial to understanding the cause of death and dispelling any doubts or suspicions.

“The Nigeria Police has not done enough in this case. The investigation so far conducted does not show the thoroughness and professionalism expected in a murder case of this nature.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police to personally intervene in this investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.

“Considering the Coroner Inquest, we appeal to the presiding magistrate to ensure that an independent toxicology report is submitted to the Coroner’s Court before submitting the final report to the authorities.”

In February, Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos commissioner for information, revealed that the autopsy was conducted in the United States at the National Medical Services Laboratories (NMS).

NMS, however, denied the claim, stating that no case related to Mohbad was being conducted at their facility.