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Toxicology: Mohbad’s father weeps over US lab denial, demands answers
Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad, says he was deeply saddened to learn that the management of the National Medical Services Laboratories in Pennsylvania, United States of America, denied conducting a toxicology test on his son’s body.
PUNCH Metro exclusively reported that the US-based lab refuted the claim by the Lagos State Government that the toxicology test was conducted at its facility.
The revelation was in response to inquiries made by our correspondent, who embarked on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the musician’s cause of death.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, while responding to inquiries via a live telephone call with Ahmad Isah, the anchor of an Abuja-based online programme, Brekete Family, sometime in February 2024, had said the toxicology test was being conducted at the NMS Labs in Pennsylvania, USA.
However, a pathologist, while testifying before the Coroner’s Court on May 15, revealed that an autopsy couldn’t determine Mohbad’s cause of death due to the decomposition of his body
Responding to PUNCH Metro’s inquiry on May 17, the Client Services Associate, Forensics Division, NMS Labs, Esther Dede, stated, “Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient.”
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, Aloba alleged that the revelation showed an attempt to cover up the case.
He said, “I was brought to tears when I learnt of the denial. I never expected such a fabrication. It now appears that the claim of it being taken to the US was concocted from the beginning, indicating an attempt to conceal the truth.
“Hearing the news made me more sorrowful about the death of my son. I don’t believe the state government could deceive everyone, saying they went to conduct the test and they did not. I felt so pained. It also assures me that we will get justice in the end.
“Before Mohbad died, he said if they killed him, they could not kill all his family who would get justice for him. And that is what we are doing now.”
The bereaved father also called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to investigate the officials of the Lagos State Forensic and DNA Centre involved in the process of the autopsy.
“I want the governor to investigate the officials involved in the autopsy process. They were assigned to carry out the assignment and need to explain why this is happening.”
Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. The Lagos State Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.
His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, amongst others.
The singer’s body was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has vehemently dismissed any talk of retirement amid rumours that the Al-Kholood defender may quit the national team after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Despite being just 31 years old, Troost-Ekong is the oldest player in the team, with Moses Simon (29) the second oldest, while Alex Iwobi, who is 28, is the third oldest player in the current squad.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday ahead of Monday’s (today) Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, affirmed his commitment to the national team.
“It is a question I get asked a lot by Nigerians, but I think it is a bit too early,” he said.
He continued, “I am 31 now, and I think I am playing my best football in recent years. We are only talking about 12 months from now, so after that, we will see,” Troost-Ekong explained.
“It will not be my decision; it will be up to the coaches. Once I feel I am no longer an asset to the team, I will have that discussion.
“But I still have some targets in sight—that will be the AFCON in 2025 and the World Cup in 2026. We’ll see what happens afterwards.”
Troost-Ekong could add to his 75 international caps when the Eagles host the Amavubi today in their final game of the qualifiers.
News
Use Ondo Guber poll as template in Nig’s future elections – Coalition of 51 INEC recognized observer groups tell FG+Photos
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A coalition of 51 recognized INEC groups under the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, CCLCA have recommended that the Federal Government should adopt the Ondo Guber poll as a template for future elections in Nigeria.
The convener of the coalition, Dr Gabriel Nwambu made this disclosure in a post election press conference be stating that:
“Considering the manner the apex electoral body, INEC conducted the election in Ondo state last Saturday, we recommend this template for future elections in Nigeria.
Read full details of report below:
“We stand before you today as a coalition of 51 accredited observer organizations under the aegis of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness. Our mission has been to observe the Ondo State Governorship Election held on November 16th, 2024, and to provide an unbiased report of our findings.
OVERVIEW OF OBSERVATIONS:
We observed the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state under tight security in line with extant laws and the rules of engagement by the police. Ondo state has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters, but 1,757,205 people collected their Permanent Voters Card across the 18LGAs, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units. INEC deployed 4 ad hoc staff pee polling unit, that is, one Presiding Officer and 3 Assistant Presiding Officers.
Out of the 19 registered political parties, 18 political parties fielded candidates for the election Although, 3 candidates stepped down before the election.
We also observed that the election materials were ultimately moved to the 3,933 polling units by INEC ad hoc staff, predominantly National Youth Service Corps members while the law enforcement agencies provided adequate security.
Voting commenced between 8.30AM and 10:00 AM in most observed polling units.
ELECTION INTEGRITY AND CHALLENGES:
Our field observers noted a few cases of voter inducement otherwise called vote- buying.An incident of concern involved military personnel denying access to accredited observers, despite proper identification.
Ladies and gentlemen, as a coalition of INEC Accredited Observer organizations, we are relieved to report that the election concluded without violence. This is a notable and progressive achievement as Ondo people have demonstrated maturity and the will to deepen our democratic values.The collation of results was conducted meticulously, adhering to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. We as a coalition of INEC Accredited observer organizations having observed the performance of the BVAS in the process of authentication and accreditation of electorates, the logistics in terms of distribution of materials, the uploading of the FORM EC8A in the IRev viewing portal, the collation and announcement of election result hereby strongly recommend the Ondo state governorship election of 16th November, 2024 as a template for evey other election in Nigeria as we look forward to the Anambra state governorship election in November, 2025.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion,we assert that the Ondo State Governorship Election of 16th November, 2024, was conducted in line with the Electoral Act, 2022, and the 1999 Constitution as amended.
We as 51 INEC Accredited observer organizations hereby unequivocally declare that this election was transparent, free, fair, and credible. Importantly, we report no loss of life on election day, which reflects positively on the overall conduct of the election.
We would like to encourage those who lost in this election to be bold and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the APC candidate who won landslide.
We commend the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police for the professionalism exhibited by officers and men in the discharge of their duties, the NSCDC, the DSS, and other paramilitary organizations in Nigeria as well as INEC for overseeing a credible election. Lastly, we applaud the people of Ondo State for their peaceful disposition, demonstrating their unwavering love for peace.
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Troost-Ekong dismisses retirement talks
Use Ondo Guber poll as template in Nig’s future elections – Coalition of 51 INEC recognized observer groups tell FG+Photos
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