The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has set July 2, 2025, to deliver judgment in a case filed by Joseph Aloba, the father of the late Afrobeats singer Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Aloba). Mr. Aloba is challenging the legal advice that cleared music star Naira Marley (Abdulazeez Fashola) and show promoter Sam Larry (Samson Balogun Eletu) of any wrongdoing in connection with his son’s controversial death.
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, Mr. Aloba is asking the court to nullify the advice issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He argues that the DPP acted too quickly by clearing the suspects while the coroner’s inquest—a legal inquiry to determine Mohbad’s cause of death—is still ongoing.
In response, Ayinde Ibrahim, a legal assistant from the DPP’s office, submitted a counter-affidavit. He explained that the suspects were only discharged, not acquitted, and that the DPP followed due process after reviewing the police investigation file. According to the affidavit, there was no credible evidence linking Naira Marley, Sam Larry, or others like Prime Boy and Opere Babatunde to Mohbad’s death.
The DPP insists Mr. Aloba has not provided any fresh or convincing evidence to warrant a reversal of its advice and says his claims are based on speculation.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, public interest remains high. The July 2 decision could either uphold the current clearance of the accused or reopen the path for further investigations into one of Nigeria’s most emotionally charged cases in recent years.
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