By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A Magistrate Court sitting in the Sabo area of Yaba, Lagos State, has officially cleared singer Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, along with three others of any involvement in the tragic death of singer Aloba Oladimeji Ileri-Oluwa, better known as Mohbad.
Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, who presided over the case on Tuesday, delivered the verdict in accordance with legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Lagos, affirming that Naira Marley had no case to answer in connection with Mohbad’s death.
Alongside Naira Marley, the court also dismissed charges against music promoter Samson Balogun, also known as Sam Larry; Owodunni Ibrahim, popularly called Primeboy; and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.
However, the DPP announced that it would proceed with prosecuting auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who had treated Mohbad, as well as one of Mohbad’s friends, Ayobami Sadiq, for charges related to reckless and negligent acts under Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Both will face trial at the magistrate court.
Mohbad tragically passed away on September 12, 2023, under circumstances that sparked widespread public concern and suspicions of foul play.
The late singer, who had previously been signed to Naira Marley’s Marlian Records, had reportedly voiced fears for his life, leading to viral videos and social media posts implicating several individuals, including Naira Marley and Sam Larry, for alleged harassment and intimidation.
Following Mohbad’s death, protests erupted nationwide, with fans and sympathizers demanding accountability for what they believed was a preventable tragedy. Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Primeboy, and others were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, and autopsy results were eagerly awaited to clarify the cause of death.
However, with Tuesday’s ruling, the charges against the aforementioned individuals have been dropped, igniting fresh concerns among the public about the adequacy of the investigation and whether justice has been fully served.
The DPP’s decision to prosecute only the auxiliary nurse and Mohbad’s friend has raised questions about the fairness of the legal process, as many believe key figures connected to the case may have escaped full accountability.
The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to draw more attention as the search for justice in Mohbad’s case continues.
