Claims that the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, died from drug abuse have been firmly dismissed by forensic psychologist Uwom Eze.
Speaking during the coroner’s court sitting on Friday, Eze, who conducted the second autopsy and comprehensive medical review on Mohbad, presented his expert findings.
According to him, contrary to widespread rumors, no hard drugs were detected in the singer’s system. Instead, he explained that the substances found were “regulated doses of antihistamines,” medications typically prescribed to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Eze emphasized that there was no evidence linking the cause of death to illegal drug use.
During his detailed testimony, Eze discussed the nature of the injury associated with the injection Mohbad had received prior to his death.
He clarified that the injury was extremely superficial and unlikely to have contributed significantly to the singer’s demise. “Even a newborn baby won’t die from that injury,” Eze stated firmly.
He added that by the time the autopsy was performed, the injury itself was no longer visible, likely due to post-mortem changes in the body.
“I couldn’t tell how the injection was given because I had already lost (his) fluids,” Eze explained, highlighting the challenges he faced in conducting a thorough post-mortem examination.
Eze went further to suggest that Mohbad’s death might have been caused by a severe allergic reaction to the injected substance, resulting in multiple organ failure.
He described the incident as a classic case of “medical misadventure,” implying that the fatal reaction was an unintended consequence of medical intervention.
Explaining his conclusion, he said, “Considering all the postmortem findings, including ancillary tests and available information, a major disruption of vital organ systems of the body with resultant fatality due to a severe and rapid hypersensitivity reaction to a substance administered by parenteral route is plausible.”
His findings painted a picture of an unforeseen and tragic sequence of medical events rather than any wrongdoing by the late singer himself.
Adedayo Shotobi, the presiding coroner, responded to the forensic psychologist’s presentation by informing the court that the date for the final ruling would be communicated to all involved parties at a later time.
The decision is expected to bring much-needed closure to a case that has gripped public attention for months.
Many Nigerians have anxiously awaited the court’s final pronouncement, particularly given the confusion and conflicting narratives that surrounded Mohbad’s sudden death from the outset.
It is important to recall that Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, after reportedly receiving an injection administered by an auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe.
He was buried the very next day, a decision that sparked public outcry and demands for a full investigation. In response, authorities exhumed Mohbad’s body on September 21, 2023, in order to conduct an autopsy that would shed light on the true cause of his death.
This exhumation and the subsequent investigations became a national talking point, reflecting the emotional connection many Nigerians had to the young musician.
The pathologist who conducted the first autopsy later revealed in May 2024 that the cause of death could not be determined with certainty, largely because the singer’s body had decomposed significantly by the time the autopsy was performed.
This inconclusive finding only fueled public speculation and conspiracy theories about the circumstances of Mohbad’s death.
The toxicology report released in June 2024, however, found Diphenhydramine — an antihistamine — in his system, but it was determined that the drug was not present at toxic or lethal levels, casting further doubt on the rumors of drug overdose.
With Uwom Eze’s fresh testimony at the coroner’s inquest, a clearer narrative has now emerged, offering a more medically sound explanation of the singer’s death.
His account challenges the misinformation that plagued Mohbad’s legacy and instead shifts attention to issues of medical negligence and hypersensitivity reactions.
As the final ruling awaits, many hope that justice will be served and that Mohbad’s memory will be honored free from the shadows of unfounded allegations.
