A Coroner’s Court located in the Ikorodu region of Lagos State has mandated substituted service for key witnesses involved in the ongoing investigation into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad.

The list of witnesses includes Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley; Samson Eletu, referred to as Sam Larry; Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Boluwatife Adeyemo, known as Darosha; and Mohbad’s attorney, Oluwasanmi Falade. Additionally, the nurse who attended to the deceased, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and the driver who transported him to the hospital, Fidelis Esanbor, are also included.

Magistrate T. A. Sotobi approved the request made by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, to serve witness summons on these individuals via a reputable national newspaper and social media platforms.

The legal team representing the Aloba family, in a statement signed by Monisola Odumosu and released on Thursday, confirmed that this order was granted during the court session held on August 16.

Furthermore, the legal team requested the coroner’s court to issue witness summons to other interested parties to provide testimony regarding the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death.

“Magistrate Sotobi, sitting at the Ikorodu Magistrate court Friday 16 August 2024 agreed with the legal team of Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, that the new witnesses should be served via substituted means in a reputable national newspaper and social media to ensure prompt attendance of the new witnesses.

“The application, which was argued by the legal team led by Mr Wahab Shittu SAN (leading Emmanuel Oroko Esq., Miss. Monisola Odumosu, Emmanuel Sadoh, Dr. A.R. Ahmed, Oluyemi Osalusi Esq., Wole Ariyibi and Sadiq Kamo) representing Mr Joseph Aloba, sought an order of the coroner’s court to issue Witness Summons on interested persons as witnesses to give evidence on the connection and circumstances leading to the death of late Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), who died in suspicious circumstances on September 12, 2023. Mr. Joseph Aloba also asked for an order to issue Witness Summons against Nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, Boluwatife Adeyemo (A.K.A Darosha), Karimot Titilayo Ogunbayo, Barr. Oluwasanmi Falade (Mohbad’s lawyer), and Fidelis Esanbor (driver), Azeez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), Balogun Samson Eletu respectively, to give evidence of what they know in connection and circumstances leading to the death of Mr Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), in suspicious circumstances on the 12th day of September 2023 on a date convenient and to be determined by the coroner,” the statement read.

They additionally requested that the court, upon granting the orders, allow for the issuance of witness summons to the new witnesses through substituted service, specifically by publishing the summons in a reputable national newspaper, as this is deemed the only effective method of service. The legal team indicated that attempts to serve these witnesses through the court have not been successful.

In a related development, the coroner’s court approved the application to recall Wunmi, the wife of the deceased, as well as the Investigating Police Officer, ASP Muhammad Yusuf.

Akinpelu Ogunbona, the attorney representing Ibrahim Owodunni, also known as Primeboy, argued that both Wunmi and the police have new information that could clarify the circumstances surrounding the singer's death.

The request made by Akinpelu A. Ogunbona Esq. aims to clarify certain ambiguous statements regarding an alleged altercation that took place in the home.

Consequently, the coroner adjourned the proceedings to ensure compliance with the order and to facilitate the appearance of the witnesses at the next scheduled hearing.

Mohbad passed away at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, with the circumstances of his death igniting debates across social media platforms.

A former artist under Marlian Music, which is owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad departed from the label in February 2022.

In response to his death, the Lagos State Police Command established a 13-member special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to examine the details surrounding the incident.

His passing also resulted in the apprehension of Naira Marley and the controversial Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, among others.

On September 21, 2023, an autopsy was conducted after the singer's body was exhumed to determine the cause of death.