On Monday, protesters gathered at the National Medical Services Laboratories in Pennsylvania, USA, seeking clarity regarding a toxicology test linked to the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad.
Taiwo Odumosu, a member of the Aloba family’s legal team, informed PUNCH Online about the protest on Wednesday. Previously, PUNCH Metro reported that the lab denied conducting the toxicology test, contradicting the Lagos State Government’s claims.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated in a February 2024 call with Ahmad Isah, host of the Abuja-based program Brekete Family, that the test was being conducted at NMS Labs in Pennsylvania. However, on May 15, a pathologist testified before the Coroner’s Court that an autopsy could not determine Mohbad’s cause of death due to body decomposition.
On May 17, Esther Dede, Client Services Associate at NMS Labs, told PUNCH Metro, “Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient.”
The legal team highlighted discrepancies regarding NMS Labs’ involvement, noting that the lab’s letterhead and address appeared on the toxicology report despite conflicting statements about their role.
Protesters demanded clarification from the lab amid public concern over the integrity of the test results. The Justice for Mohbad group and the legal team presented a letter to NMS Labs, urging them to issue an official statement regarding the toxicology tests.
The letter partly read, “Circulating reports suggest that toxicology tests on the late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba’s samples, submitted by the Lagos State Government or other Nigerian entities, were conducted at NMS Labs. These reports have caused public concern and confusion regarding the integrity and source of the results, as it also referred to ITSI Biosciences as a partner that concluded the test on behalf of NMS Labs.”
They also sought clarification on whether the lab received samples from the Lagos State Government or any Nigerian entity.
The statement continued, “We request NMS Labs to issue an official open letter or public statement clarifying that no toxicology test samples related to the late Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad) were received by NMS Labs from the Lagos State Government or any other Nigerian government body, and that NMS Labs is not affiliated with any laboratory that conducted toxicology tests on the samples.”
The legal team emphasized the need for transparency and accuracy, urging NMS Labs to issue a public statement to dispel misinformation and uphold its reputation.
“An official statement from NMS Labs will greatly assist in dispelling any misinformation and ensuring the public receives accurate and reliable information. It will also help maintain the integrity and reputation of your esteemed laboratory in the eyes of the global community. Your prompt response and cooperation in this matter would be highly appreciated,” the statement added.
