The Coroner’s inquest into the death of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba known as Mohbad, has fixed thiteenth October, for witnesses to appear before it.
The Coroner sat on Friday at the Magistrate court in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Funmi Falana, who represented Mohbad’s family, alongside other lawyers, had closed-door proceedings to discuss the modalities for hearing of evidence.
Speaking to the journalist after the proceedings, Falana said what we did today was to decide how and when the procedures would help get justice.
The date has been fixed and will be bringing our witnesses,” Falana told journalists at the Candide Johnson’s court.
The lawyer assured family and fans of the late singer that Mohbad will get justice.
“We are representing the interest of justice, we should allow peace to reign but justice must be served. We are going to get to the cause of the death,” she added.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the Lagos State Police Command arrested controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, over an ongoing investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Mohbad.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development.
“Yes, Balogun Eletu aka Sam Larry is now in our custody. He is currently assisting with the ongoing investigation,” Hundeyin said.
The police had earlier invited Sam Larry and singer, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, for questioning over Mohbad’s demise.
Nigerian socialite, Balogun Olamilekan Eletu aka Sam Larry, has explained that his brawl with Mohbad was over N2 million owed him by the late singer.
A report on how Sam Larry came under fire on social media after a video of him and some people harassing late singer, Mohbad surfaced on social media.
In the video, Mohbad and Zlatan were on set for a music video when Sam Larry, who is said to be an ally of Naira Marley, stormed the scene with some boys targeting Mohbad, who scampered away in fear.
The video left many Nigerians on social media furious as they stormed Larry’s Instagram page to attack him for bullying and threatening the late singer.
In a statement shared, which has since gone viral, Sam Larry claimed to have paid Mohbad N2 million to perform at his mother’s annual remembrance concert, but that the late singer failed to show up.
He wrote “Two year’s ago, I gave Ileri N2 million to perform at my mother’s annual remembrance concert at Ikorodu.
“The boy never turned up. So I called him to ask why. He then said he was not feeling well.
“When I asked for a refund, he said he lost his phone and money recently when the NDLEA raided his place and since he was leaving Marlian Records, he is now broke, with no commitment to repay.
“I then left, all for me to later hear that this same boy was having a musical video shoot next door, practically the next street to my house.
“So I went there to ask for my money again. We had an argument that lasted five minutes. Even one of his friends insisted he was going pay the money. Up till today one kobo they have not paid me. This was early last year. I have since moved on.
“I travelled to Kenya to find new African act that can perform at my mother’s concert this year. I have been away since August 20!
“Till now I don’t know anything other than what was written in the blogs and press. I don’t even know where he lives I only know his former label boss and their house.
“I don’t know any nurse or doctor or hospital. I don’t know anything about his movement, I don’t have that time. I have lost a lot more money than that before; you win some you lose some.
“That is my story, case close. I came here willingly and happily. I know nothing about how the musician died.”
Embattled singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley has continued to claim his innocence as fans were still accusing him of having a hand in the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji, a.k.a Mohbad.
Mohbad died on September 12 in questionable circumstances. He was buried the next day.
The singer’s former boss, Naira Marley, and some members of Marlian Records, including Sam Larry have been accused of being responsible for his death.
But the controversial singer in a statement shared on his Instagram handle during the week absolved himself of any wrongdoing. He also restated his innocence in a viral interview with the former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
In the interview, which was shared on Omokri’s Instagram page, the Marlian Records boss insisted that he had no hand in the death of Mohbad.
According to him, Mohbad had been having issues for ages, claiming that he provided professional assistance to Mohbad after being aware of his mental condition.
Naira Marley revealed that he paid for several scans all in a bid to help the deceased singer.
He said: “I have been abroad since August and I’m willing to return to Nigeria if only the government can guarantee my safety as a lot of Nigerians are currently furious at me.”
In another video shared on Reno Omokri’s Instagram page, Naira Marley could be heard communicating with the late Mohbad in Yoruba language.
“You said you are not feeling so anymore, but one hour ago, you felt like killing yourself and you still surround yourself with the things stressing you. The last time you made a video saying if anything happens to you, Naira Marley and the Marlian team should be held responsible, but now you want to kill yourself,” Naira Marley said in the video.
Responding, the late singer, had said: “I don’t even know how to explain to you right now.”
Continued Naira Marley: “But one hour ago, you said you felt like killing yourself. If you kill yourself, what do you think people will say after you’ve made a video that I was after your life?”
In response, Mohbad said “Please don’t be angry.”
Following the release of the viral video on the Internet, Nigerians have been slamming Reno Omokri for conducting the interview.
Reacting to the interview, actress Ruth Kadiri called out Omokri, saying: “By their fruits you shall know them.”
Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan faulted Reno Omokri for not asking straight questions, but instead acted like he and the embattled singer had already rehearsed before the interview
Actress Iyabo Ojo said until proven innocent, everybody is a suspect.
Meanwhile, Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over the death of late Afrobeat singer, Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba, aka Mohbad.
Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on his verified X handle late Thursday night.
Reports claimed Sam Larry was picked up shortly after arriving from Nairobi, Kenya.