Entertainment
Mohbad: Court orders substituted service on Naira Marley, Sam Larry
A Coroner’s Court in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has ordered substituted service on key witnesses in the ongoing inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad
These include Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley; Samson Eletu aka Sam Larry; Mohbad’s sister-in-law, Karimot Ogunbayo; Boluwatife Adeyemo aka Darosha and Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade.
The nurse who was said to have treated the deceased during the period, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and the driver who drove him to the hospital, Fidelis Esanbor, were also on the list.
Magistrate T. A. Sotobi granted the application by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, to serve a witness summons on additional witnesses through a reputable national newspaper and social media.
The Aloba family’s legal team in a statement signed by Monisola Odumosu and sent to PUNCH Metro on Thursday said the order was granted during the court’s sitting on August 16.
The legal team said it also sought an order of the coroner’s court to issue Witness Summons on interested persons as witnesses to give evidence on the connection and circumstances leading to the death of Mohbad.
“Magistrate Sotobi, sitting at the Ikorodu Magistrate court Friday 16 August 2024 agreed with the legal team of Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, that the new witnesses should be served via substituted means in a reputable national newspaper and social media to ensure prompt attendance of the new witnesses.
“The application, which was argued by the legal team led by Mr Wahab Shittu SAN (leading Emmanuel Oroko Esq., Miss. Monisola Odumosu, Emmanuel Sadoh, Dr. A.R. Ahmed, Oluyemi Osalusi Esq., Wole Ariyibi and Sadiq Kamo) representing Mr Joseph Aloba, sought an order of the coroner’s court to issue Witness Summons on interested persons as witnesses to give evidence on the connection and circumstances leading to the death of late Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), who died in suspicious circumstances on September 12, 2023. Mr. Joseph Aloba also asked for an order to issue Witness Summons against Nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, Boluwatife Adeyemo (A.K.A Darosha), Karimot Titilayo Ogunbayo, Barr. Oluwasanmi Falade (Mohbad’s lawyer), and Fidelis Esanbor (driver), Azeez Fashola (aka Naira Marley), Balogun Samson Eletu respectively, to give evidence of what they know in connection and circumstances leading to the death of Mr Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba (Mohbad), in suspicious circumstances on the 12th day of September 2023 on a date convenient and to be determined by the coroner,” the statement read.
They further asked the court that upon the grant of the orders, to grant leave to serve the witness summons to be issued on the new witnesses by substituted service by causing the said witness summons to be published in any reputable national newspaper within the country as the only viable means of service of the witness summons.
The legal team stated that efforts to get these witnesses served witness summons through the court have been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the coroner’s court also granted the application to recall Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, and the IPO in charge of the case, ASP Muhammad Yusuf.
A lawyer, Akinpelu Ogunbona, who argued the application on behalf of Ibrahim Owodunni aka Primeboy, stated that there were new issues both Wunmi and the police needed to shed light upon to give a clear picture of what killed the singer.
According to the statement, their request to be called by Akinpelu A. Ogunbona Esq. is to make clear some ambiguous statements regarding the fight the singer’s wife alleged happened in the house.
The coroner accordingly adjourned for the order to be complied with and the witnesses to be brought to court on the next adjourned date.
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.
American music star Chris Brown has reportedly been arrested in Manchester, United Kingdom, in connection with a assault that allegedly took place at a nightclub in London in 2023.
According to multiple sources, the 36-year-old rapper and singer was taken into custody during the early hours of Thursday, May 15, 2025, at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. He was reportedly detained around 2:00 a.m. on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
The arrest is tied to an incident that occurred on February 19, 2023, at the upscale Tape nightclub located in the Mayfair district of London. During that event, Brown allegedly attacked music producer Abe Diaw, striking him over the head with a bottle before proceeding to punch and kick him multiple times.
The severity of the assault reportedly led to Diaw being hospitalized, and he has since filed a $16 million lawsuit against the Grammy-winning artist, citing physical damages and defamation.
Chris Brown’s Team Yet to Respond
As of the time of this report, Chris Brown’s management and legal representatives have not issued any official statement regarding the arrest or the incident.
The silence from his camp has left fans and the media speculating about the potential legal and professional implications, especially given the timing of the arrest.
The arrest comes just weeks before the launch of Chris Brown’s anticipated world tour, titled “Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour,” which is scheduled to kick off on June 8, 2025, in Amsterdam.
The development raises concerns about whether the artist will be able to honor his international tour dates or face travel restrictions stemming from the legal case.
Background on the Lawsuit
In the wake of the 2023 incident, Abe Diaw filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Brown. In addition to the alleged physical assault, Diaw accuses the singer of attempting to damage his professional reputation, claiming that defamatory statements were made in the aftermath of the altercation.
Legal analysts say that if Brown is formally charged and convicted, he could face serious penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and potential restrictions on international travel.
Public Reactions Mixed
News of the arrest has sparked a flurry of reactions online. While some fans have expressed disappointment, others are calling for due process and urging the public not to rush to judgment.
As developments unfold, all eyes remain on whether Chris Brown’s legal team will break their silence and how the allegations will impact his already controversial public image and upcoming performances.
Monalisa Stephen, a popular Nollywood actress and media personality is dead.
She died after a brief illness.
The Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood (BON) Seun Oloketuyi, via his Instagram on Wednesday announced the sad news, disclosing that the controversial actress died yesterday, May 13th after battling low blood sugar and internal bleeding.
He added that the deceased actress’ sister confirmed her passing. Sharing the photo, he wrote: “Brand influencer Monalisa Ayobami Stephen is dead,she died yesterday in Lagos after losing the fight against Low sugar and internal bleeding, Her immediate younger sister confirmed the death of this hardworking and beautiful soul.”
More details shortly…
Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has been named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Most Influential Women in International Film,” a prestigious global list celebrating 46 visionary women making a significant impact on the international film industry.
Reacting to the recognition, Akindele took to her Instagram page on Friday to express her excitement and gratitude for the honour.
She described the moment as not just a personal celebration but a motivation to continue creating and uplifting others in the film industry.
“I’m deeply honoured and truly grateful to be featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘The Most Influential Women in International Film. To be recognised among 46 powerful, visionary women from around the world is more than a moment of celebration—it’s a call to keep building, creating boldly, and lifting others as we rise,” she wrote.
The announcement, which was made on Friday, May 9 marks a significant milestone for Akindele, who has carved a niche for herself in Nollywood with her record-breaking films such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Tribe Called Judah, as well as her contributions to television through the hit series Jenifa’s Diary.
Her consistent success has cemented her as one of the most bankable and influential figures in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
Akindele also used the opportunity to celebrate fellow Nigerian media mogul and honoree, Mo Abudu, describing her as a source of inspiration and a major contributor to the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria and Africa.
“A heartfelt congratulations to Aunty MO @moabudu who has also been featured in this great piece. Thank you so much, Ma, for your invaluable contribution to the creative industry. It’s an honor to be featured alongside someone who has been such a powerful source of inspiration,” Akindele added.
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