The Lagos state government has invited Nigeria’s secret police to join an investigation into the death of Afrobeats star MohBad.
The 27-year-old singer, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died a week ago in hospital in Lagos. A source told Nigeria’s Punch newspaper the musician had sought treatment for an infected injury – but this has not been confirmed and the exact circumstances have not been made public.
The news of his death last Tuesday shocked his fans and colleagues and the hashtag #justiceformohbad has been trending on X, formerly known as Twitter – with many calling for an investigation. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has now stepped in, tweeting:
“I have instructed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation.” The regional police also announced a 13-person special investigative team to exhume the body of the Afropop singer and carry out an autopsy.
With emotions running high, some tributes have suggested the singer had been bullied within the music industry. Outrage has particularly been directed at his former boss, Naira Marley, with whom he had feuded after he split from the Nigerian musician’s label – Marlian Records – last year.
It has led one of the biggest radio stations in south-western Nigeria, SplashFM, to ban Marley’s songs from the airwaves during the investigation. Marley himself has also called for a thorough probe into MohBad’s death and pledged to assist with “uncovering any foul play or injustice”.
