By Yinka Ajayi

A group of concerned Nigerians in the diaspora, known as ‘Critical Thinkers in Diaspora’, have called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to as a matter of urgency start a transparent investigation into the death of late Afro-pop Illerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba popularly known as Mohbad.

The group in a statement signed by its secretary, PeqTobay, insisted that such a move would help build “sincere public trust, which has been lacking due to the perception that the matter has not been properly investigated.”

The statement, captioned ‘MOHBAD: NEW REVELATIONS THAT GOVERNMENT MUST ACT UPON’, reads in part: “Barely 11 months after the Lagos state government was called upon to investigate and begin a process to unravel the cause and circumstances behind the death of late music icon, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (known professionally as Mohbad), who died on September 12, 2023, and was buried on September 13, the Lagos state police authority said 26 persons were questioned regarding Mohbad’s death.

“However, after the police investigation, five people were detained: Ibrahim Owoduni (Prime boy), Ayobami Sodiq (Spending), Feyisayo Ogedengbe (Nurse), who injected Mohbad when he claimed to be ill, Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley), and Samson Balogun (Sam Larry). All were later granted bail.

“To the surprise of the public, none of those present in the house were detained in a case suspected to be a homicide, despite many facts, narratives, and revelations made known to and through the public, which were ignored by the Lagos State Police in concluding their investigation. They relied mainly on what those present with the late Mohbad in his last moments told the police.

“Through a lot of drama that ensued during and after the police investigation, serious doubt was cast on the investigation process, raising concerns about the real truth of what killed Mohbad. Among the dramas was the one from Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi (CY), whose blood sister, Karimot Ogunbayo, came to Nigeria from the United States immediately after Mohbad died and tried to exonerate her sister, whom the public believed was not truthful in explaining what really killed Mohbad.

“With these and other revelations, we, the Critical Thinkers in Diaspora, are calling on the Federal government of Nigeria, Lagos State government, and appropriate authorities to urgently start a fresh and proper, transparent investigation into Mohbad’s death and build sincere public trust”.