A Lagos Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, has officially cleared Nigerian music star Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and music promoter Samson Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, of any criminal responsibility in the case involving the death of singer Aloba Oladimeji IleriOluwa, widely recognized as Mohbad.
The ruling, delivered by Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, was based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State. The court found that neither Naira Marley nor Sam Larry had a case to answer regarding Mohbad’s demise.
This decision also extended to Owodunni Ibrahim, also known as Primeboy, and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.
While delivering her judgment, Magistrate Kubenje stated,
“The court has carefully considered the legal opinion issued by the DPP, which concludes that no direct link has been established between the alleged assaults on Mohbad and his eventual death. In light of this, the charges against the defendants are hereby dismissed.”
However, the court ordered the prosecution of auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Mohbad’s friend Ayobami Sadiq for alleged Reckless and Negligent Acts. This charge, which falls under Section 251(e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), carries serious legal implications.
In a statement, the DPP noted:
“Though there are documented cases of unlawful assault on Mohbad by Naira Marley and Sam Larry, these allegations do not legally translate to holding them accountable for his death. The circumstances leading to his demise were medically induced rather than caused by physical harm.”
The court’s decision stemmed from a detailed forensic investigation conducted by the Lagos State Government.
According to the legal report, on September 10, 2023, Mohbad, along with his associates—including his wife, Wunmi Adebanjo Cynthia, and driver Fidelis Esanbor—attended a concert in Ikorodu.
While trying to leave the venue, Mohbad reportedly became agitated after Primeboy advised him against stepping out due to the presence of touts demanding money.
The DPP’s report states, “Mohbad, angered by the situation, began throwing punches at Primeboy. During this altercation, he accidentally hit the glass of a vehicle, causing a deep cut on his right arm.”
Despite sustaining an injury, the late singer did not seek immediate professional medical attention. Instead, his friend, Ayobami Sadiq, contacted Feyisayo Ogedengbe, an auxiliary nurse, to provide treatment.
The court document reveals that Ogedengbe lacked proper medical training and administered care without assessing Mohbad’s medical history.
The legal report further detailed:
“By September 11 and 12, the injury had swollen significantly, causing Mohbad extreme discomfort. Ogedengbe arrived at his residence and proceeded to administer injections and other medications without conducting any necessary medical tests.”
After receiving the treatment, Mohbad’s condition worsened. He reportedly vomited twice, collapsed, and began convulsing. He was rushed to Med Care Hospital, Lekki, where doctors declared him brought-in-dead (B.I.D).
The DPP’s advice categorically stated,
“Feyisayo Ogedengbe, as an unqualified medical practitioner, is culpable for administering treatment without adequate knowledge of the deceased’s medical background. Similarly, Ayobami Sadiq, who procured her services despite being aware of her lack of qualifications, is also liable under the law.”
Additionally, the court highlighted previous instances of physical assault involving Mohbad and his former label boss, Naira Marley.
The legal report documented multiple incidents between 2021 and 2023, during which Mohbad faced alleged intimidation, bullying, and physical violence.
One such incident, recorded in June 2023, occurred at De Chandelier Club, where Mohbad and his friends were allegedly attacked.
Another altercation took place during a video shoot with rapper Zlatan Ibile on June 25, 2023.
According to eyewitnesses, “Sam Larry, along with unidentified men, stormed the video set and began assaulting Mohbad. Zlatan Ibile had to intervene to stop the attack.”
Despite these recorded assaults, the court ruled that they did not contribute directly to Mohbad’s death.
The ruling emphasized, “While the attacks on the deceased were unlawful, they are separate from the medical negligence that ultimately led to his passing.”
The legal team representing Mohbad’s family, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome.
One of their lawyers, speaking to reporters, stated, “We acknowledge the court’s findings, but we believe a more thorough investigation should be conducted. The deceased’s family reserves the right to present its own forensic report during the trial.”
This position was reinforced by the introductory remarks in the DPP’s six-page report, signed by Dr. Babajide Martins on behalf of Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (SAN).
The document read, “The government has completed its forensic investigation, but the deceased’s family is free to present independent findings.”
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions within the entertainment industry and among fans of the late singer.
Many have taken to social media, debating the implications of the case and calling for justice for Mohbad.
Meanwhile, human rights activists have called for a broader review of cases involving alleged industry exploitation and abuse.
A prominent activist, speaking on the matter, remarked, “The entertainment industry must be held accountable for cases of bullying and physical assault. We must ensure that young artists are protected from such experiences.”
Following the court’s decision, Naira Marley and Sam Larry both issued public statements.
Naira Marley expressed relief, saying, “I have always maintained my innocence in this matter. Mohbad’s death was a tragic loss, and I pray for his family.”
Similarly, Sam Larry stated, “The truth has finally prevailed. I hope Mohbad’s soul finds peace, and I extend my condolences to his loved ones.”
The legal proceedings against auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Ayobami Sadiq are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Both individuals will face prosecution at the Magistrate Court, where further evidence will be presented.
As the case unfolds, public interest remains high, with many still questioning the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s untimely death.
While some see the court’s decision as a step toward closure, others insist that justice has not been fully served.
ON THE OFFENCE OF ASSAULT & NAIRA MARLEY
The Lagos State Criminal Law, under Section 170(1)(a), defines assault as an act where a person “strikes, touches, moves, or otherwise applies a force of any kind to another person, either directly, without their consent.”
This legal provision establishes the parameters for determining whether an act of physical force constitutes an offense under the law.
The law recognizes both direct and indirect applications of force, emphasizing that consent is a critical factor in distinguishing lawful interactions from unlawful acts of aggression.
In cases where assault is alleged, the burden of proof rests on establishing that the act was intentional and done without the victim’s agreement.
According to the legal review conducted by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), there are documented instances of unlawful assault on the late Aloba Oladimeji Ilerioluwa, also known as Mohbad.
These incidents were carried out by Abdulazeez Fashola (Naira Marley) and Samson Balogun Eletu (Sam Larry), with some of the actions allegedly orchestrated on behalf of Marley and another individual, Opere Babatunde.
However, despite these allegations, the legal advisory concluded that these acts of assault do not amount to criminal responsibility concerning Mohbad’s death.
While physical aggression can have serious consequences, the DPP determined that there was no direct link between these incidents and the circumstances that led to the singer’s passing.
One significant aspect of the case involved an earlier assault complaint filed by Mohbad against Naira Marley at Ilasan Police Station on October 8, 2022.
According to records, the deceased had officially reported an attack perpetrated by Marley. However, by October 11, 2022, Mohbad had voluntarily withdrawn the complaint, stating that the issue had been settled amicably.
Given this withdrawal, the authorities were unable to act on the original complaint. The DPP noted that once a complainant retracts an assault claim, it becomes difficult to pursue legal action unless new evidence emerges that establishes a continued threat or harm.
Regarding the involvement of Owodunni Ibrahim, popularly known as Primeboy, the legal findings presented a different perspective.
Uncontested evidence from the case file revealed that Mohbad was actually the aggressor in an altercation with Primeboy on September 10, 2023, during the De Bitters Concert.
Witness accounts confirmed that Mohbad physically attacked Primeboy inside a vehicle, landing several blows. However, Primeboy did not retaliate.
This sequence of events significantly influenced the legal assessment of Primeboy’s role in the incident, as there was no basis for holding him accountable for the singer’s subsequent injury or death.
Further eyewitness testimony confirmed that the fatal injury sustained by Mohbad occurred when he struck the glass of a vehicle during the altercation.
As he punched the window, the glass shattered, cutting his right arm. The wound bled heavily and later became swollen, causing him extreme discomfort.
According to the forensic investigation, this injury was not properly treated, and the negligence in its management ultimately led to Mohbad’s death.
The failure to receive adequate medical care, rather than any direct physical altercation, was identified as the primary factor leading to the tragic outcome.
Based on these findings, the DPP concluded that the only individuals who should face prosecution in relation to Mohbad’s death were Feyisayo Ogedengbe, an auxiliary nurse, and Ayobami Sadiq, one of the deceased’s associates.
They were charged under Section 251(e) of the Lagos State Criminal Law for reckless and negligent acts. The legal advisory stated that Ogedengbe, despite lacking proper medical qualifications, administered treatment to Mohbad without conducting necessary medical tests or reviewing his medical history.
Sadiq, on the other hand, was found culpable for arranging for the unqualified nurse to provide treatment, knowing that she lacked professional credentials.
With no evidence linking Naira Marley, Sam Larry, or Opere Babatunde to Mohbad’s death, the legal advisory explicitly stated that they had no case to answer.
As a result, the court ordered that they should be released if they were still in custody. Similarly, Primeboy was also cleared of any wrongdoing, as his actions did not constitute a criminal offense under the law.
The ruling reinforced the principle that accusations of assault must be supported by direct evidence connecting them to a specific criminal outcome, such as bodily harm or death, for prosecution to proceed.
Finally, the legal advice document included instructions for the next steps in the judicial process.
It mandated that extra copies of the legal findings, along with formal notices of legal representation, be provided to the suspects facing trial—Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Ayobami Sadiq.
This was done in accordance with Section 74(5) and (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law, 2021.
By ensuring that the accused individuals had access to proper legal counsel, the court aimed to uphold the principles of fairness and due process as the case moved forward.
