The Coroner inquiring into the cause of death of 27-year-old musician, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has held its preliminary sitting at the Candide Johnson courthouse, Ikorodu, Lagos,

Newsmen were barred from covering the proceedings. Court officials said the decision was ordered by the Chief Registrar, Tajudeen Elias.

The Guardian learnt that the reason may be a measure to control crowd as the court premises was crowded.

However, after the hearing, the deceased’s family counsel, Mrs Funmi Falana, said that Magistrate Adetayo Shotobi discussed the modalities of the inquest with all counsel, including the format that witnesses will take to testify.

She added that the legal team will present their witnesses at the next adjourned date, October 13, 2023.

Her words: “The essence of the coroner is to inquire as to the cause of death. It is an inquisitorial sitting, so what we had today was to decide on the modalities as to how and when and regarding the witnesses that will testify.”

Other parties that attended the proceeding include the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and a record label, TNKAY Music.

The inquest is in pursuant to the extant provisions of sections 14 &15 of the Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, Cap C15, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

The inquest is in response to a letter written by the chambers of the human right lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) to the office of the Chief Coroner over the issue surrounding the death of Aloba, which was said to have occurred in Ikorodu area of the state.

It was reported that Aloba (Mohbad) died on September 12, 2023 in a manner that led to great outcry and several protests, amidst calls by many for a thorough investigation into the matter.

He had made a series of accusations of being bullied and harassed before his death.

A few days later after he was buried, the Police authorities exhumed the singer’s body from his graveside in Ikorodu. An autopsy has since been carried out, and the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin said the result is being awaited.