Coroner's Inquest and Mohbad's Death

Ever heard of the term Coroner's Inquest? I bet most people haven't. It's not a very familiar term, considering that it is not one that is used everyday. The recent happenings in Nigeria following the death of the late Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, a Nigerian music artist popularly known as Mohbad, has left many Nigerians heartbroken and confused. The 27 year old died under very suspicious circumstances, leading to a massive call for an investigation into the cause of his death.

Many steps have been taken by the Lagos State Government to ensure that Mohbad gets justice. And now, a coroner's inquest into his death is to commence on Friday, 29th September, 2023, reports Arise News.

Who are coroners? 

Coroners are independent judicial officers who investigate deaths reported to them. This happens when it is believed that the death was not due to natural causes.

What is Coroner's Inquest?

Coroner's inquest is an inquiry into the manner and  cause of an individual's death. The coroner will make all necessary inquiries including ordering a post mortem examination, obtaining witness statements and medical records or holding inquests.

How is it done?

In Lagos State (and across Nigeria), there is a Coroners Law which is the legal framework set up to investigate the circumstances around a suspicious death by conducting a Coroner’s inquest.

The coroner is expected to obtain a medical report from the Chief Medical Officer who is ordered to perform a post mortem examination of the body. if the person in whose respect the inquest is to be carried out has been buried without a post mortem examination, the coroner may order the exhumation of the body, after which he may order a reburial. In Mohbad's case, his body has already been exhumed and it's been reported that an autopsy has been conducted already.

The inquest procedure commences with the coroner summoning witnesses to appear in order to give evidence and produce any document that may help the coroner in the investigation of the suspicious death. Any witness who fails to appear or fails to answer any questions may be fined or charged and punished with contempt of court.

It is important to note that any statement made by a defendant at a coroner's inquest is admissible in evidence. See section 48 of the Evidence Act.

Upon completion of the inquest, the coroner is to give a verdict which must show how, when and where the deceased person met his death. The verdict is to be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, the Chief Coroner, the Chief Medical Examiner and the Divisional Police Officer for the district. If there is sufficient grounds for making a charge against any person in connection with the death, the coroner shall make an order for the arrest of the suspect for investigation by the appropriate authority.

for more information see theCoroners Law of Lagos State

What do we do now?

We wait for the result of the autopsy and the inquest to be begin. The events that will unfold, come Friday the 29th of September and the days that will follow will be very interesting. For now, let us keep our fingers crossed and desist from spreading fake news. Let Clergy men preach salvation and allow the dead to rest in peace. Let us all sheathe our swords while we firmly demand justice for the deceased. I pray Mohbad gets justice.

#justiceformohbad
#coronersinquest
#autopsy
#postmortem

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