A Lagos Coroner Court in Ikorodu has concluded that Mohbad, the young Nigerian artist whose death triggered national outcry, died as a result of medical negligence. The court placed direct responsibility on the auxiliary nurse who administered an injection to him without proper authorization.
The inquest, which began in late September 2023, examined testimonies from 19 witnesses, including family members, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officials. It aimed to uncover what truly happened in the final hours before Mohbad passed away on September 12.
The presiding magistrate ruled that while there was no evidence of direct violence or homicide, the nurse’s actions were reckless and unprofessional. Administering treatment without a valid prescription or medical oversight, especially in an emergency, was deemed unlawful.
The court described Mohbad’s death as sudden and unnatural, noting that the improper use of medications — and by someone not licensed to do so — played a significant role in the tragic outcome.
Aside from pointing fingers at the nurse, the coroner addressed wider issues. It noted that Nigeria’s lax healthcare regulations allow too many unqualified people to act as medical personnel without accountability. The case highlighted a disturbing pattern of weak enforcement, particularly in the private health sector.
The judgment also criticized how the aftermath of Mohbad’s death was handled. His father was faulted for rushing the burial, which took place less than 24 hours after death and without any medical certification or autopsy. The court acknowledged cultural considerations but insisted that proper procedures should not have been ignored.
There were strong words about the singer’s girlfriend, Omowunmi, who was present during his final moments. According to the court, she didn’t take adequate action to ensure he received professional emergency care. Though emotional distress might explain some of her silence, the coroner believed that a more urgent and vocal response could have made a difference or raised red flags earlier.
The Nigeria Police Force was also not spared. The court found it troubling that a petition written by Mohbad before his death — reportedly containing allegations of threats and harassment — received no serious attention. It called for an investigation into whether this neglect by the police amounted to official misconduct.
The ruling concluded with a recommendation for the Lagos State government to prosecute the auxiliary nurse, not for murder, but for unlawfully performing medical duties and for the negligent act that led to the singer’s untimely death.
Reactions followed swiftly. The legal counsel to Mohbad’s family welcomed the judgment, describing it as fair and detailed. He called on law enforcement agencies to take immediate steps to implement the court’s recommendations and re-open the investigation into Mohbad’s prior complaints.
The singer, aged 26, died shortly after he reportedly received injections at home for pain. His burial the next day triggered public suspicion and protests. In response to widespread pressure, the Lagos State Government ordered an exhumation and autopsy.
The initial autopsy, hindered by the state of the body, failed to produce a clear cause of death. But the coroner’s findings now provide a formal conclusion — that while Mohbad may not have been murdered, his death was avoidable.
It is now left to the state authorities to act on the court’s guidance and ensure those responsible are held to account.
