Human rights activist Akinola Adelabu-Soul is advocating for travel restrictions on Omowunmi, the wife of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, and their son, Liam.
Adelabu-Soul’s request, titled “Urgent Request to Monitor and Prevent Departure of Mohbad’s Wife and Child,” was submitted to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.
Adelabu-Soul, in the letter addressed to 13 different consulates domiciled in the country, noted that the demise of Mohbad had left fans and fellow artistes in shock, adding that there were lingering questions surrounding the incident.
The Consulates highlighted in the document include those of the United States of America, Brazil, France, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the Republic of Cyprus, Greenland, Canada, the Republic of Korea, and China.
Highlighting Omowunmi’s significance in Mohbad’s life, Adelabu-Soul acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation following the artist’s demise. Consequently, he urged embassies to exercise vigilance and prevent their departure from Nigeria until the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
The statement read in part, “Recently, the Nigerian music industry suffered a great loss with the untimely demise of the talented artist Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. His passing has left fans and fellow artists in shock, and there are lingering questions surrounding the circumstances of his death.
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“Omowunmi, his 24-year-old wife, was an integral part of Mohbad’s life. They were married, and together they had a young child named Liam. As investigations unfold, it has come to light that a nurse may be connected to the events leading up to Mohbad’s demise. The police have exhumed his body for an autopsy, and the situation remains highly sensitive.
“In light of these developments, I kindly request that your esteemed embassy be vigilant and prevent the departure of Wunmi and their child from Nigeria until the investigation is thoroughly completed.”
Adelabu-Soul emphasized the importance of Omowunmi and their son remaining in the country during this critical period for transparency and accountability. He urged the authorities to handle the matter with discretion and urgency, emphasizing the Nigerian people’s quest for justice.
Copies of the letter were sent to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Lagos State Police Command headquarters. Adelabu-Soul urged the NIS to monitor Wunmi’s travel-related activities and take necessary precautions to prevent her departure. Additionally, he requested the police to be informed of the situation and assist in ensuring that she stays in the country.
When contacted, Wunmi’s lawyer, Taiwo Olawanle, said Adelabu-Soul was not in the right position to write such a letter, adding that his client had no plans to travel out of the country.
“Whoever he (Adelabu-Soul) is, he is not in the right position to do that. If he wants to make the application, he knows where to address it to. The Coroner is there, the police are there, we don’t know him and we don’t know his interest in the matter.
“The police are working on the investigation. The matter is also before a competent court. The authorities on these issues are working on it. And Wunmi is also not planning to travel out of the country. She is here to bury her husband, and she is still interested in getting to the root of the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband,” Wunmi’s lawyer said.
Mohbad died on September 12 at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, departed the label in February 2022. Following his demise, the state Police Command established a 13-man special investigation team on September 18, 2023, to delve into the circumstances surrounding his death. The incident also resulted in the arrest of Naira Marley, as well as controversial Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, among others. Subsequently, Mohbad’s body was exhumed for autopsy on September 21, 2023, to ascertain the cause of his death.
