Connect with us

Headline

[PHOTOS] Mohbad: Protesters Storm US Lab, Demand Clarification On Toxicology Test

Published

on

A group of protesters on Monday stormed the headquarters of the National Medical Services Laboratories in Pennsylvania, the United States over the outcome of a toxicology test reportedly conducted in the facility to determine the cause of death of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

A member of the Aloba family’s legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, disclosed this to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Recall that the US-based lab refuted the claim by the Lagos State Government that the toxicology test was conducted at its facility.

The revelation was in response to inquiries made by our correspondent, who embarked on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the musician’s cause of death.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, while responding to inquiries via a live telephone call with Ahmad Isah, the anchor of an Abuja-based online programme, Brekete Family, sometime in February 2024, had said the toxicology test was being conducted at the NMS Labs in Pennsylvania, USA.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Top 5 Most Expensive Phones In The World

However, a pathologist while testifying before the Coroner’s Court on May 15, revealed that an autopsy couldn’t determine Mohbad’s cause of death due to the decomposition of his body.

Responding to The PUNCH’s inquiry on May 17, the Client Services Associate, Forensics Division, NMS Labs, Esther Dede, stated, “Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient.”

Advertisement

The family’s legal team, however, alleged that there were discrepancies regarding the involvement of NMS Labs, adding that the letterhead and address of the facility appeared on the toxicology report despite conflicting statements from the laboratory regarding their actual role in the testing process.

The protesters, however, demanded clarification on the involvement of the laboratory amidst conflicting reports and public concern over the integrity of the test results.

In a letter presented to NMS Labs and made available to PUNCH Online, the Justice for Mohbad group and the legal team urged the facility to provide an official statement regarding the toxicology tests conducted on Mohbad’s samples.

Advertisement

READ ALSO::[JUST IN] Cholera Outbreak: Lagos Records 29 Deaths, 579 Suspected Cases

The letter read in part, “It has come to our attention that there are circulating reports suggesting that toxicology tests on samples of the late singer and songwriter, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, submitted by the Lagos State Government or other government entities from Nigeria, were conducted at your laboratory, NMS Labs.

“These reports have caused significant public concern and confusion regarding the integrity and source of the toxicology results as it also referred to ITSI Biosciences as a partner that concluded the toxicology test on behalf of NMS Labs. The PUNCH, a widely read and respected tabloid in Nigeria, in its May 31, 2024, edition had claimed that US Labs Denies Conducting Poison Test on Mohbad. The tabloid referred to your esteemed organisation as the source of information and there is real evidence to confirm this.”

Advertisement

They also sought clarifications on whether the lab received samples from the Lagos State Government or any Nigerian government entity.

Considering these circumstances, we kindly request that NMS Labs 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 government body from Nigeria and hat NMS Labs is not affiliated with any other laboratory that conducted toxicology tests on the aforementioned samples,” the statement read.

READ ALSO::Why I Hate Mohbad More In Death – Naira Marley’s Associate

Advertisement

The legal team emphasised the importance of transparency and accuracy in the matter, urging NMS Labs to issue a public statement to dispel misinformation and maintain its reputation.

“An official statement from NMS Labs will greatly assist in dispelling any misinformation and ensuring that 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.

“We understand the sensitivity and confidentiality of such matters and assure you that this request is made in the interest of transparency and justice. Your prompt response and cooperation in this matter would be highly appreciated,” the statement added.

Advertisement

Advertisement
Comments

Headline

‘They Checked My Instagram’ – Nigerian Lady Breaks Down After Landing In U.S, Denied Entry

Published

on

A Nigerian businesswoman has taken to social media to share her frustration and heartbreak after being denied entry into the United States, despite holding a valid visa.

In a video recorded on her return flight to Nigeria, the visibly distraught woman revealed that she was travelling to Texas for a trade fair.

Advertisement

She said she possessed a B1/B2 visa, which allows travel for both tourism and business meetings.

READ ALSO:‘Netanyahu Must Go’, Israel’s Ex-PM Calls Leadership ‘Catastrophic’

However, upon arrival in the U.S., things took a turn.

Advertisement

“I was denied entrance into the US and that is because my visa [is] a B1–B2 visa which is [for] tourism/business meetings,” she explained tearfully.

When I landed, I was detained for 24 hours and I was questioned. I told them I was going to exhibit but I did not know any better because the US has your data and your Instagram page.”

READ ALSO:Middle East Crisis Dominates EU Foreign Ministers’ Brussels Meeting

Advertisement

According to her, immigration officials scrutinised her social media activity and private messages, using them to challenge her stated purpose of visit.

Apparently, my Instagram says different. They even checked all my messages with my customers. The customers I have been telling that we are coming, they can pick up and all of that,” she said through tears.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Headline

Uganda: After 39 Years In Power, 80-year-old Yoweri Museveni To Seek Re-election

Published

on

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has announced his intention to run in the country’s next presidential election, extending a rule that began nearly four decades ago.

In a post on the X platform late Saturday, Museveni said he had “expressed my interest in running for… the position of presidential flag bearer,” for his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Advertisement

The 80-year-old leader has governed Uganda since 1986 after seizing power following a five-year guerrilla war. Under his leadership, the ruling NRM has twice amended the constitution, allowing him to remain in office beyond term and age limits.

READ ALSO:Ugandan President Ignores S’Court Ruling, Approves Law To Try Civilians In Military Courts

According to Reuters, right groups have long accused Museveni of deploying security forces and leveraging patronage to hold onto power, an allegation he denies.

Advertisement

Explaining his decision to seek reelection, Museveni said he aims to grow Uganda’s economy to a ”$500 billion economy in the next five years.” According to the finance ministry, the country’s GDP currently stands at about $66 billion.

Uganda is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in January next year. Museveni’s main challenger is expected to be opposition figure and pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who came second in the 2021 election and has declared his intention to contest again in 2026.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rejected the 2021 results, alleging his victory had been stolen through “ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces and other irregularities.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Headline

‘Netanyahu Must Go’, Israel’s Ex-PM Calls Leadership ‘Catastrophic’

Published

on

Naftali Bennett, Israel’s former Prime Minister, stated in a televised interview that current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must leave office.

Bennett refrained from saying whether he plans to challenge the longest-serving leader in the country in an upcoming election.

Advertisement

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 that aired on Saturday, Bennett commented, “Netanyahu has been in power for 20 years… that’s too much; it’s not healthy.”

He called attention to Netanyahu’s “heavy responsibility for the divisions in Israeli society,” highlighting the growing rifts that have emerged under Netanyahu’s leadership, especially regarding his handling of the Gaza war since October 2023.

READ ALSO:Israel’s Netanyahu Says Iran Will ‘Pay Heavy Price’ After Hospital Hit

Advertisement

Bennett, a right-wing leader who joined forces with Netanyahu’s critics to form a coalition that ousted him from office after 12 consecutive years, insisted that “Netanyahu must go.”

However, the fragile coalition government Bennett led, along with current opposition leader Yair Lapid, collapsed after about a year. This led to snap elections, resulting in Netanyahu regaining the premiership with support from far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.

Although Bennett has taken time away from politics, there are rumors of a potential comeback, with public opinion polls indicating he may have enough support to defeat Netanyahu again. Currently, no elections are scheduled before late 2026, but early elections are common in Israel.

Advertisement

In his Saturday interview, Bennett claimed credit for laying the groundwork for Israel’s bombardment campaign earlier this month against Iranian nuclear and military sites.

READ ALSO:Netanyahu Vows To Thwart ‘Any Attempt’ By Iran To Rebuild Nuclear Programme

The decision to launch attacks against the Islamic Republic “was very good” and “needed,” said Bennett, claiming that the offensive would not have been possible without the work of his short-lived government.

Advertisement

In Gaza, where Israel has waged war since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, Bennett said the military has displayed “exceptional” performance, but “the political management of the country” was “a catastrophe, a disaster”.

Criticising the Netanyahu government’s “inability to decide,” the former prime minister called for an immediate “comprehensive” agreement that would see all remaining hostages freed from Gaza.

“Leave the task of eliminating Hamas to a future government,” said Bennett, who also evaded several questions about whether he intends to run for office.

Advertisement

AFP

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending