The autopsy report on the late musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, identified a drug response as a likely cause of death.
According to The Cable, the autopsy and toxicology tests performed at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital pointed to a fatal anaphylactic shock or drug response as the potential cause of Mohbad’s death.
Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction with potentially fatal consequences. According to the article, the hospital collected samples of the late singer’s stomach contents, blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, and lung for toxicology testing.
The report claimed to have found residues of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, in the late singer’s bloodstream.
Antihistamines are medications that treat allergies, stomach issues, colds, and anxiety, among other things.
However, according to the postmortem report, the drug concentration was not deadly or lethal enough to injure or kill him.
Anatomical and pathological examinations also indicated an injury to Mohbad’s right forearm and mild to severe decomposition of his remains, which were exhumed eight days after burial.
According to the report, no significant gross findings could be attributed to his death.
The report reads, “It is noteworthy that the body neither had an autopsy nor was embalmed prior to interment on the second day.
“Following the Order for Exhumation, the body was exhumed on September 21, 2023 (8 days after the burial).
“Autopsy revealed moderate to marked decomposition of organs. Apart from the superficial injury on the right forearm, no significant gross finding could be attributed to death.
“Against this background, samples were taken for toxicology. This is to determine if there was any anaphylactic reaction to substances of abuse, overdosage, or common household poisoning.”
The autopsy report emphasised the significance of a prompt blood sample to detect lethal anaphylactic shock, which was not achievable in this case due to Mohbad’s burial on the second day.
It added, “Toxicology revealed positive findings of diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine; however, this concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range. The other analytics were unremarkable.
“In determining fatal anaphylactic shock, a blood sample needs 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 in view of the absence of any significant post-mortem and toxicology findings.”
Mohbad, a 27-year-old artist previously signed to Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music, died on September 12, 2023, under dubious circumstances that prompted much criticism.
In response, on September 18, 2023, the Lagos State Police Command formed a 13-person special investigation team to probe the death.
