The biggest story on the entertainment scene in Nigeria in 2023 turned out, ironically, to be a story of a highbrow suspected murder, tears and sorrow.
The mysterious sudden death in a hospital of the budding young music star, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, sent shock waves across the global entertainment industry and among the youths. The incident revealed a lot about the dark side of the music industry, giving the public a glimpse into what looks like a huge criminal enterprise.
Observers say the outrage that greeted the death of Mohbad was not unexpected because the artiste had cried out loud, using his musical recordings to announce the threat to his life by his label boss and associates. The two major suspects in the tragic case, Naira Marley who was out of the country, and his associate, Sammy Larry, were declared wanted. They were later arrested, detained and released on bail
After much online outrage, the government set up an investigative enquiry to look into this affair. Government officials visited the relatives of the deceased. His corpse was exhumed and an autopsy conducted to know the true cause of death.
Prior to his death, Mohbad had filed a complaint against his bullies but it was not taken seriously by relevant authorities. His death raised so many issues about his relationship with family members and colleagues in the music industry. It raised questions about the response of relevant entertainment institutions, government, and the police to his distress call. “Various distress calls and alarms by citizens who face clear and present dangers from terrorists and other criminal gangs are often ignored until disaster occurs,” one commentator observed.
Nigerians, nay, the global entertainment industry, are waiting with baited breath for the outcome of the forensic investigation to ascertain the real cause of Mohbad’s death.
