The Light that Lives-Imole
Mohbad is truly the light as he is called; Imole!
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, well known by his stage name Mohbad, passed away tragically on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27.
The announcement rocked the Nigerian entertainment industry and left everyone inconsolable, the news of his death spread far and wide and it got international recognition as some artists like Lil Durk, Meek Mill shared it on their socials.
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Who is Mohbad and why The Love?
Among a group of Neo-Fuji musicians that create music fusing street, cultural, and foreign influences, Mohbad rose to prominence in 2020. Under the management of the Marlian Music record label, he quickly rose to fame. In 2022, he quit the label to become independent and that created a rift between the management and the artist and led to a few violent attacks on Mohbad.
Nigerians connected with Mohbad’s street music, which made him a musical force to be reckoned with and a readily relatable celebrity. From the testimonies of people shared on social media Mohbad has a pure vibe and you can easily fall in love with him upon first meeting. He was a jovial fellow and a happy champ.
What Actually Happened?
According to reports the singer received injections from Feyisayo Ogedengbe, (a false nurse). These injections, included tetanus toxoid, paracetamol, and the antibiotic Cetrazone, caused convulsions, vomiting, and goosebumps right away. He eventually passed away.
After that, he was taken to Perez Medcare Hospital immediately for treatment, but upon arrival, the hospital declared him dead. The medical facility issued a statement claiming that he did not die in their facility there and that all attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
The Sudden Burial
The very next day, Mohbad’s family buried him in the Lagos State neighborhood of Ikorodu. Because he was not a Muslim, the singer’s early burial shocked both his fans and Nigerians in general. His fans were not given the opportunity to mourn him properly or even show him their last respect.
The sudden burial raised a lot of eyebrows and a lot of questions were asked. Due to the pressure from Nigerians Mohbads father Mr Joseph Aloba bowed to pressure and came out to explain himself.
I had a dream about Mohbad 2 days before his demise – Mohbad’s father. pic.twitter.com/LHHF0pKvzG
— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) September 13, 2023
Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, intervened, emphasizing that his son was promptly buried due to his youth. He added that the only property he was aware his son had was the land he was buried on.
A Call For Autopsy
Given how unexpected his death was, Nigerians started demanding an inquiry into it shortly after he passed away. Those who knew Mohbad well said that he was fine and had just played at a performance two days before his death. Everyone began to wonder, “What happened to Mohbad?” as a result.
Nigerians launched a social media movement to demand that Mohbad have an autopsy performed in order to ascertain the reason for his death. Letters were sent to the state’s chief coroner as well as Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos. And #justiceForMohbad came a movement
The Nigerian police force acted quickly, opening an official investigation into his death and removing his body for an autopsy from the Ikorodu grave. Nigerians applauded that movement as it was a huge step to getting better insight to what happened to the young man. It was a big move and It was applauded.
The Fight between the Artist and the Record Label.
Mohbad recorded some of his best popular songs on Naira Marley’s record label between 2020 and 2022.
He fought the record label in court to get part of his royalties back before he passed away. Videos of the abuse and harassment he endured at the hands of record label and music promoter Sam Larry became viral after his death. The video that was the most damaging was one in which Mohbad wept and demanded that Naira Marley be held accountable if something were to happen to him.
Following his passing, the videos reappeared on social media, infuriating Nigerians who demanded that Marley and Larry be taken into custody right now. However, at the time, neither party was in Nigeria when the singer passed away, thus they both claimed innocence while they were abroad.
Both suspects returned to Nigeria at the police’s offer to help with the ongoing investigations.
A befitting Candle Night
The singer’s management organized a candlelight procession and tribute concert in his honor across Nigeria and even abroad, because Nigerians did not think the singer’s hurried burial in Ikorodu was appropriate. Beginning at the Lekki Phase One gate, the procession descended to the well-known Muri Okunola Park on Victoria Island, the site of the memorial event, on September 21. Celebrities like Falz and Davido attended the event, which drew hundreds of ardent fans to honor the late artist. And other states in Nigeria followed as well states like Kogi, Jos, Yola, Benin, Abeokuta and the FCT.
Investigations
In relation to Mohbad’s death, the police said that a total of 26 persons, including family members, had been questioned.
The musician received the injections at his home from Ogendengbe, a nurse, who has been deemed the primary suspect but has not yet been charged.
Along with another buddy his childhood friend, Primeboy, who allegedly got into a physical argument with him at Ogendengbe the day before he passed away, Mohbad’s friend Ayobami Sadiq, better known as Spending, who brought Mohbad Ogendengbe to treat the singer in his Lekki house, has also been listed as a suspect.
Marley and Larry have been sent to police prison for 21 days due to evidence that links them to violence against Mohbad, physical abuse, threats against their lives, and cyberbullying.
