The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has dismissed a suit filed by Mr. Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad), seeking to nullify the legal advice that cleared music artistes Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and others of alleged involvement in the singer’s death.
Delivering judgment, Justice Taiwo Olatokun held that the Attorney General’s prosecutorial discretion, exercised through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was valid and not subject to judicial review in this context.
“The reliefs sought by the applicant lack merit and are hereby dismissed,” the judge ruled.
Mr. Aloba, represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had argued that the DPP’s legal advice—which led to the release of the suspects—violated his right to fair hearing and pre-empted the ongoing coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death.
However, the court upheld the DPP’s position, clarifying that the suspects were not acquitted, but discharged due to insufficient evidence linking them to the singer’s death.
In a counter-affidavit filed by Ayinde Ibrahim, a legal officer in the DPP’s office, it was explained that the advice followed a thorough review of the police case file.
He also noted that the legal advice found no direct or circumstantial evidence implicating Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Prime Boy, or Babatunde Opere.
“The decision to discharge them was in line with due process and based on the available evidence,” the DPP’s office stated.
Reporting by Wahab Akinlade