Dr. Richard Somiari, Director of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, has confirmed that the autopsy findings for late musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, commonly known as Mohbad, will be ready within the next three to four weeks.
Somiari offered the guarantee while testifying at a coroner’s inquiry investigating the singer’s death on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, defence counsel cross-examined the witness at the inquest.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the musician died on September 12, 2023, and was buried the day after.
He was 27 years old.
His death caused controversy, causing the Lagos State Government to order a coroner’s inquiry.
The inquest commenced on October 13, 2023, and is taking place in the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court.
Somiari told the Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi: “We expected to get the first set of autopsy results in three to four weeks and re-confirm to authenticate the cause of the death.
“We searched for multiple possibilities, to check if poison was involved in death of Mohbad since no actual cause was mentioned.”
The forensic expert assured the public of adequate security and monitoring of samples for the autopsy.
“We have a place where items are stored for safety and security of results. There is a procedure for monitoring samples moved abroad,” he said.
Also testifying, Mr Sadiq Ayobami, also known as Spendy, stated that he last saw the deceased the day before his death.
He stated that they both attended a performance in Ikorodu before returning to his residence, where he departed just before the artist died.
Mrs Abiodun Kolawole, an activist representing the African Women Lawyers Association, asked the deceased’s parents to take their grievances over the singer’s child’s paternity to court rather than using social media.
The Coroner, Magistrate T. A. Shotobi, delayed the case till April 15.
Shotobi instructed that all parties to the inquest be present on that day.
