CORONER CALLS FOR PROSECUTION OF NURSE OVER MOHBAD’S DEATH, INDICTS FAMILY, POLICE, AND MUSIC INDUSTRY
By Aishat Momoh
The coroner’s inquest into the death of Nigerian musician Mohbad concluded with a call for accountability, particularly highlighting medical negligence as the likely cause of the tragedy. Presiding Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi found that the unlicensed nurse who treated the 26-year-old at his Lekki residence administered an injection that triggered a fatal reaction, a situation described as a medical misadventure. Although a definitive cause of death could not be established due to the decomposed state of the body, the court noted a strong link between the injection and Mohbad’s sudden convulsion and death.
Testimonies from pathologists and 19 other witnesses revealed systemic failures from various quarters. The coroner criticized Mohbad’s father for the hasty burial without proper medical or legal documentation, despite receiving financial support for funeral arrangements. The musician’s widow was also faulted for not insisting on proper medical care and not challenging the handling of the body.
While acknowledging the late singer’s troubled relationship with his former record label boss Naira Marley and associate Sam Larry, the court found no direct link between them and the immediate cause of death. However, it condemned the failure of the police to act on Mohbad’s prior petition alleging threats to his life.
The coroner emphasized that the young artist was let down by his family, public institutions, and the music industry, which failed to provide adequate support and protection. She urged the prosecution of the nurse and recommended systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents, stressing the need for legal safeguards, professional medical conduct, and respectful handling of sudden deaths.
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