Mohbad’s death: Trial of Auxiliary nurse begins

An auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, has testified before the coroner’s inquest investigating the tragic death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Speaking at the Ikorodu Magistrate Court in Lagos on Saturday, she recounted how she was contacted by Ayobami Sodiq, also known as ‘Spending,’ on 11 September 2023, to administer a tetanus injection to a friend who had sustained a hand injury. Due to traffic congestion, she was unable to visit that day and only arrived the following afternoon at Orchid Estate in Lekki, where she discovered that the patient was Mohbad.

Ogedengbe explained that upon arrival, she met Mohbad, his wife, and his friend in a room. She noticed swelling in the singer’s right hand and proceeded to administer a tetanus injection, along with paracetamol and ceftriaxone. She deliberately avoided diclofenac due to Mohbad’s history of ulcers. However, while administering the ceftriaxone injection, Mohbad suddenly complained of discomfort, stating that he felt like vomiting. He rushed to the bathroom but soon returned and sat on the floor. The nurse observed that he had developed goosebumps, which his wife dismissed as a normal reaction. In an attempt to ease his discomfort, his wife poured water on him while they searched for medication to counter a possible allergic reaction.

With no immediate transportation available, Ogedengbe and Ayobami ran to a nearby pharmacy, but the first one did not have the necessary hydrocortisone injection and saline infusion. By the time they were able to obtain the medication from another pharmacy, Ayobami received a call informing him that Mohbad was convulsing. Upon their return, they found that the singer had already been moved outside, making it impossible to administer further treatment. Since no vehicle was available, a neighbour offered a ride to the hospital, but due to heavy traffic, they were forced to transfer Mohbad onto a motorcycle.

At the first hospital, the medical staff hesitated before attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but it was too late—Mohbad was pronounced dead. In shock, Ogedengbe explained to the doctor the medications she had administered. Unwilling to accept Mohbad’s death, his associate, Darosha, arranged for him to be taken to another hospital in Osapa London, Lekki, where doctors again confirmed that he had no pulse.

After multiple attempts to secure a police report and a death certificate that night, Ogedengbe was questioned at the police station but was not immediately implicated. Following her testimony, she was cross-examined by legal representatives of Mohbad’s family, his wife, and the state government.

The case has been adjourned to 21 March 2025 for further hearings.