The Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State discharged the popular singer, Abdulazeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, on Tuesday in connection with the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
According to Channels TV, Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje delivered the judgement after reading the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos.
He said Naira Marley had no case to answer and the court released Naira Marley, music promoter Samson Balogun, also known as Sam Larry, Owodunni Ibrahim, also known as Primeboy, and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.
This is a clear indication that the court followed legal advice and procedure. But the prosecution has not ended the investigation into Mohbad’s death.
The Directorate of Public Prosecution said it will still prosecute the auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who treated Mohbad and one of Mohbad’s friends, Ayobami Sadiq.
They are charged with reckless and negligent acts under Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
They will be prosecuted at the Magistrate Court and this is part of the commitment to accountability in high profile cases.
This has implications for the legal system in Nigeria as such cases always attract huge attention from lawyers and the public.
For instance, recent statistics from the Nigerian judiciary showed that public scrutiny has increased in cases involving big names, which further emphasizes the need for transparency and due process.