Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo has expressed regret over her involvement in the exhumation of the body of the late singer Mohbad, saying the process has caused delays and fueled disputes within the singer’s family.
Mohbad, who died on September 12, 2023, was buried the following day. However, his body was exhumed by the police on September 21, 2023, following public outcry, to conduct an autopsy as part of the investigation into his death.
Speaking in an interview with fellow actress Biola Bayo, Iyabo Ojo, a vocal advocate for justice in Mohbad’s case, said she regrets the fallout from the exhumation and the subsequent family disputes.
“I did my best. If I knew Mohbad’s case would turn out this way, I wouldn’t have requested that he be exhumed,” she said. “He hasn’t been buried till now. The dad says he wants a DNA test done, and I hear the court has granted that now, but I hear the dad has conditions again.”
Ojo explained that her intention in calling for the exhumation was to facilitate an autopsy that would determine the cause of the singer’s death and ensure justice. However, she lamented that the process became mired in complications and distractions.
“I just wanted his body exhumed so they could do the autopsy, find out the cause of his death. I did my best to make sure everyone was investigated, but when they came up with different theories, DNA became their target and was more important,” she added.
The autopsy, conducted months after Mohbad’s burial, yielded inconclusive results due to the decomposition of the body. A subsequent toxicology report in June 2024 revealed the presence of Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, but not in lethal concentrations.
The case has been further complicated by ongoing disputes within Mohbad’s family. In October 2023, Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, demanded a DNA test on Liam, Mohbad’s son, and said his son would not be reburied until the test was conducted. He also called for a police probe into Omowunmi, Mohbad’s wife, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
In December 2023, Omowunmi agreed to the DNA test but requested that it be conducted at three hospitals to ensure fairness. She also accused her father-in-law of bullying her and her son on social media, alleging that he was attempting to claim Mohbad’s properties.
Iyabo Ojo’s remarks reflect growing frustration among those who initially sought justice for Mohbad, as the case remains unresolved more than a year after the singer’s death. The disputes and delays have shifted focus away from the initial quest to uncover the truth about Mohbad’s passing.
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, was a rising star in Nigeria’s music scene before his untimely death, which shocked fans and sparked nationwide calls for justice.
