New details have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
At the Coroner’s Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Friday, an auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who administered treatment to the late artist, gave an emotional and revealing testimony about the events leading up to his passing.
Ogedengbe testified before Justice C.A. Shotobi, narrating how what seemed like a routine medical intervention spiraled into a fatal ordeal.
According to her, she was contacted on September 12, 2023, by one Ayobami Sodiq, popularly called Spending, to treat Mohbad at his Lekki residence.
The Fatal Treatment
Upon her arrival around 2:30 p.m., Ogedengbe noted that Mohbad had a swollen cut on his right hand.
She proceeded to administer a tetanus injection to his upper arm to prevent potential infections.
Additionally, after confirming that the late singer had a history of ulcers, she opted to give him paracetamol instead of diclofenac, a common painkiller known to cause complications in ulcer patients.
Her treatment also included a 4ml dose of paracetamol diluted with 1ml of water, followed by a slow intravenous administration of 10ml of ceftriaxone, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
However, shortly after administering the ceftriaxone injection, Mohbad showed signs of distress. According to her testimony, he developed discomfort, stood up, and vomited in the toilet before returning to the room and sitting on the floor.
It was then that Ogedengbe noticed goosebumps appearing on his skin. Concerned, she called the attention of Mohbad’s wife, Omowunmi, who reportedly dismissed it as a “normal response” the singer usually exhibited after receiving injections.
Panic Sets In
As Ogedengbe began to question the situation further, she asked Omowunmi why she had not mentioned her husband’s apparent allergic reaction tendencies.
Before they could take further action, Omowunmi took Mohbad into the bathroom and poured water on his head, a move that suggested they were trying to cool him down or manage a reaction.
Sensing the worsening situation, Ogedengbe and Spending rushed out to get hydrocortisone, a steroid used to treat severe allergic reactions.
Unfortunately, they encountered delays at the first pharmacy they visited. By the time they managed to purchase the necessary medication and returned, Mohbad’s condition had deteriorated significantly.
According to the nurse’s statement, upon her return, she found the singer outside the house as those around him were making arrangements to transport him to a hospital.
However, due to a lack of available vehicles and heavy traffic, the decision was made to transport him to the hospital on a motorcycle.
Tragically, he was declared dead on arrival by the medical team at the hospital. Ogedengbe recounted how, after confusion at the hospital regarding the necessary medical protocols, Mohbad’s lifeless body was transported back to his home at around 8 p.m.
The group then visited the Orchid Lekki Police Station to obtain a death certificate before being directed to the Ajiwe Police Station at Ajah for further reporting.
Legal Ramifications
The circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death have sparked widespread controversy, leading to multiple arrests and an official investigation by the Lagos State authorities.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged Ogedengbe and Sodiq with reckless and negligent acts under Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the court cleared popular music artist Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, along with music promoter Samson Balogun (Sam Larry), Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy), and Mohbad’s former manager Opere Babatunde of any direct involvement in the singer’s death.
Unqualified Medical Practice?
In a startling admission, Ogedengbe acknowledged in court that she had believed herself to be a qualified auxiliary nurse until Mohbad’s case proved otherwise.
“I actually thought I was a qualified auxiliary nurse until Mohbad’s case started, and they said I was not,” she told the court. This revelation has raised significant concerns about the regulation of healthcare practitioners and the risks posed by unlicensed medical personnel providing treatment.
Public Outcry and the Path to Justice
Mohbad’s tragic passing has ignited public outrage and grief among his fans and supporters. The Nigerian music industry has also called for justice, with many demanding stricter medical oversight and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
With the court case adjourned to Friday, March 21, 2025, all eyes remain on the legal proceedings as the quest for justice for Mohbad continues.
The outcome of the trial is expected to have far-reaching implications, not just for those involved but also for Nigeria’s medical and legal systems regarding accountability in medical negligence cases.
As the investigation unfolds, the music community and fans of the late artist hope that the truth will prevail, and those necessary reforms will be put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
