Dr. Richard Somiari, Director of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, stated on Wednesday that the results of an autopsy performed on deceased musician Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a. Mohbad) would be available in the next three or four weeks.
Somiari gave the promise when testifying during a corner inquest into the Mohbad’s death.
On Wednesday, defense counsel cross-examined the witness at the inquest.
Recall that Mohbad died on Sept. 12, 2023, and was buried the following day. He was 27 years old.
His death caused controversy, causing the Lagos State Government to order a coroner’s inquest.
The inquest, which began on October 13, 2023, is being held at the Ikorodu Magistrates Court.
Somiari told the Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi: “We expected to get the first set of autopsy results in three to four weeks and re-confirm to authenticate the cause of the death.
“We searched for multiple possibilities to check if poison was involved in the death of Mohbad since no actual cause was mentioned.”
The forensic expert assured the public that the autopsy samples would be adequately secured and monitored.
“We have a place where items are stored for the safety and security of results. There is a procedure for monitoring samples moved abroad,” he said.
Also testifying, Mr. Sadiq Ayobami, also known as Spendy, stated that he last saw the deceased the day before his death.
He stated that they both attended a concert in Ikorodu before returning to his house, where he departed before the artist died.
Mrs. Abiodun Kolawole, an activist representing the African Women Lawyers Association, asked the deceased’s parents to take their issues to court over the paternity of the singer‘s child rather than using social media.
The coroner, Magistrate T. A. Shotobi, delayed the case till April 15. Shotobi directed that all parties to the inquest be present on that day.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
