Autopsy Reveals Drug Reaction as Cause of Nigerian Singer Mohbad’s Death

Almost a year after the passing of Nigerian rapper and singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, an autopsy has finally provided insights into the potential cause of his death. The autopsy report, which went viral online yesterday, suggests that while the exact cause of death could not be definitively determined, a drug reaction remains a possible factor due to the lack of significant post-mortem and toxicology findings.

The autopsy, conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, involved analyzing samples from Mohbad’s gastric content, blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, and lung. These samples were examined to identify any toxic substances that could explain his sudden demise.

The report states: “Anti-histamines are medicines used to treat symptoms of allergies. They are also used to treat a variety of other conditions such as stomach problems, colds, and anxiety, among others. It is noteworthy that the body neither had an autopsy nor was embalmed before interment on the second day. Following the Order for Exhumation, the body was exhumed on 21/09/2023 (8 days after the burial).”
During the autopsy, moderate to marked decomposition of organs was noted, and apart from a superficial injury on Mohbad’s right forearm, no significant physical findings were observed that could be directly linked to his death.

Consequently, samples were taken for toxicology tests to determine if anaphylactic reactions, substance abuse, overdosage, or common household poisoning might have been involved.
“Toxicology revealed positive findings of Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine; however, this concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range. The other analytics were unremarkable,” the report noted. It further explained the challenge in determining fatal anaphylactic shock: “In determining fatal anaphylactic shock, blood samples need to be taken as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this was prevented or made impossible by the burial of the deceased on the second day. In light of the foregoing, the cause of death could not be ascertained.

However, the possibility of a fatal anaphylactic shock (drug reaction) could be considered given the absence of any significant post-mortem and toxicology findings.”
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, under mysterious circumstances at the age of 27 and was buried the following day. His death sparked widespread controversy, leading to public outcry from fans and celebrities who demanded justice and accused Mohbad’s former boss, Naira Marley, and associate Sam Larry of involvement in his death.

This led the Lagos State Police Command to establish a 13-member Special Investigation Team to probe the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The autopsy results, while not providing a definitive cause, add a new layer of complexity to the investigation, suggesting that a drug reaction could have contributed to Mohbad’s tragic passing.