0
0
The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has scheduled July 2, 2025, for judgment in a suit filed by Mr. Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Aloba is challenging the legal advice that exonerated music personalities Naira Marley and Sam Larry from alleged involvement in his son’s death.
Justice Taiwo Olatokun set the date after hearing submissions from both sides. Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Wahab Shittu, Mr. Aloba filed the suit on behalf of the Aloba family. The respondents are the Lagos State Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Shittu argued that the DPP’s legal advice was premature, as it was issued while the coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death was still ongoing. He alleged it denied the family a fair hearing and led to the release of key suspects mentioned during the inquest, despite no conclusive findings.
In response, the DPP’s office, via a counter-affidavit filed by legal assistant Ayinde Ibrahim, maintained that the suspects were discharged—not acquitted—and that the DPP acted within its statutory powers following the police’s submission of the case file.
“The suspects released by the 2nd Respondent’s Legal Advice were not acquitted but merely discharged,” the affidavit stated, adding that neither the coroner nor the applicant had access to the full police file.
The DPP also noted it was under no obligation to delay its legal review or notify the coroner before issuing advice. The affidavit emphasized that no credible evidence linked Naira Marley (Abdulazeez Fashola), Sam Larry (Samson Eletu Balogun), Prima Boy (Owoduni Ibrahim), or Opere Babatunde to Mohbad’s death.
“Upon a comprehensive review of the case file, no facts were found connecting the individuals mentioned to the death of the deceased,” it added.
The respondents further argued that Mr. Aloba had not provided any fresh evidence or engaged independent investigators to justify overturning the legal advice. “The applicant’s claims are speculative and unsupported by material facts,” the affidavit concluded, urging the court to dismiss the application.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on July 2, a decision that could have significant implications for the legal proceedings surrounding Mohbad’s death.
