By By Muminat Ajide
The controversy surrounding the death of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has taken a new turn as the National Medical Services Laboratories in Pennsylvania, USA, denied conducting any toxicology test on the deceased.
The Lagos State Government’s claim of Mohbad’s body being flown to the US facility for investigation was refuted by NMS Labs. Esther Dede, a Client Services Associate at NMS Labs, clarified that they did not handle Mohbad’s case, citing privacy regulations and the need for authorization from the submitting agency. “Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient,” Dede was quoted as saying by The PUNCH.
Responding to NMS Labs’ statement, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, mentioned that the laboratory’s name was provided by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre.
He indicated that he would verify the information, as it contradicted what he was initially told.
Meanwhile, in December 2023, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed during a town hall meeting that the toxicology test was conducted abroad due to the unavailability of such facilities in Nigeria.
He attributed the lack of local capacity to the destruction of the state’s forensic facility during the #EndSARS protest in 2020. Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating that the investigation into Mohbad’s death was ongoing and individuals were detained pending further findings.
