Inaugural sitting of the Coroner inquiring into the cause of death of 27-year-old musician, IleriOluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad, was held yesterday at the Candide Johnson Courthouse, Ikorodu, Lagos.
However, journalists were barred from covering the proceedings, as court officials said that the order was from the Chief Registrar, Tajideed Elias. It was also gathered that this move was taken as a crowd control measure.
After the hearing, the deceased’s family counsel, Funmi Falana, told journalists that the 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 hearing fixed for October 13. “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 interested parties that attended the sitting include the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and a record label, TNKAY Music.
The inquest is 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. This is in response to a letter written by the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana to the office of the Chief Coroner over the controversial d£ath.