Controversy Surrounding Mohbad’s Death and Alleged Frame-Up
The death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, has continued to spark intense debate online, with new claims suggesting that some individuals may have attempted to frame Naira Marley, a prominent singer and record label boss. The controversy involves several high-profile figures, including actress Iyabo Ojo and music producer Samklef, who are now at the center of the ongoing discourse.
Claims of a WhatsApp Group and Leaked Conversations
Social media personality Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), recently claimed access to a private WhatsApp group called “Concerned Citizens.” He alleged that this group was involved in shaping the narrative around Mohbad’s death. According to VDM, members of the group were aware of a DNA test conducted to determine the paternity of Mohbad’s son, Liam. However, he claimed that Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, was not given the results and was instead being ignored for demanding the test.
VDM further stated that he paid over N20 million to gain access to the private chat. However, Samklef, a member of the group, denied the payment claim, suggesting that someone within the group had leaked the information.
Iyabo Ojo Files Petition Against Police
In response to these allegations, Iyabo Ojo filed a petition against the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre. She accused officers of breaching her privacy by allowing VDM into the same interrogation room during her meeting with Naira Marley and Sam Larry. Ojo argued that this violated procedures and compromised her safety and the integrity of the investigation.
She requested that the case be transferred to Lagos for a more neutral handling. Earlier, VDM had claimed that Ojo apologized to Marley and Larry for making unsubstantiated claims against them.
Dispute Over Accusations Against Naira Marley
Meanwhile, Mathew Aderoju, a former Marlian member and one of the people interviewed by Ojo following Mohbad’s death, released a video claiming that Ojo lied about Naira Marley drugging her son. This added another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.
Expert Analysis on WhatsApp Access
A cybersecurity expert, Jerahmeel Madumere, addressed the issue of how private messages could be accessed. He explained that while WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, there are other ways third parties can gain access to chats. These include social engineering, insider leaks, or accessing a user’s device, cloud backup, or account credentials.
Madumere noted that accessing WhatsApp through WhatsApp Web or physical access to a phone could also allow someone to mirror a user’s session. However, he clarified that this is not considered hacking in the traditional sense but rather a breach of trust or misuse of access.
Legal Implications of Unauthorized Access
Legal practitioner Tolu Babaleye confirmed that unauthorized access to private messages is illegal under Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Act. However, he also pointed out that evidence obtained in such a manner could still be admissible in court if it relates to an ongoing investigation.
Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin reiterated that the Cybercrime Act is actively enforced, and any violations would result in legal consequences.
Mohbad’s Father Speaks Out
Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, shared his perspective on the ongoing situation. He emphasized that the family was waiting for a court order to conduct the DNA test. He dismissed VDM’s claims as opinions and stated that he would not accept any results until the court process was completed.
Aloba also mentioned that he had not yet spoken to his lawyer about the leaked WhatsApp messages and was cautious about responding to unverified information.
Psychological Struggles of Mohbad
Almost two years after his death, new insights into Mohbad’s mental health have emerged. His close friend Bella Shmurda revealed that Mohbad had attempted suicide due to issues with his former record label. Omowunmi, Mohbad’s widow, described his deteriorating mental state in a post on Instagram, highlighting the emotional and psychological pressures he faced.
Mohbad’s struggles were compounded by the birth of their son, Liam, which added to his anxiety about their future and safety.
Psychologist’s Perspective on Substance Use
Dr. Martin Agwogie, a psychologist and executive director of the Global Initiative on Substance Abuse, weighed in on the speculation surrounding Mohbad’s possible use of substances. He emphasized that without an autopsy report, such assumptions remain speculative. Agwogie noted that psychoactive substances can influence behavior in unpredictable ways, but individual differences must be taken into account.
He also highlighted that mixing medical drugs with illicit substances could lead to severe and unpredictable reactions, underscoring the need for a thorough forensic examination to determine the exact cause of Mohbad’s death.