“Mohbad’s Last Moments: Nurse Details Desperate Efforts to Save Singer’s Life”
The coroner's inquiry into the tragic death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, took a revealing turn as Feyisayo Ogedengbe, an auxiliary nurse, testified at the Magistrate Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos on Saturday.
During the session, Ogedengbe provided a comprehensive account of how events unfolded on September 12, 2023, the day Mohbad tragically passed away. Her testimony painted a chaotic and heartbreaking scenario, leaving many pondering whether things could have been different.
What Happened That Fateful Day
According to Ogedengbe, she was contacted by Ayobami Sodiq (alias Spending) on September 11, 2023, to attend to a friend who had injured his hand. Heavy traffic prevented her from responding immediately, so she arrived the next day at around 2:30 PM at Orchid Estate in the Lekki area, where she discovered her patient was the popular singer, Mohbad.
Observing swelling on Mohbad’s right hand, the nurse administered a tetanus injection and, after confirming he was an ulcer patient, chose to give paracetamol instead of diclofenac. She further administered Ceftriaxone injection, a commonly used antibiotic, through an intravenous route.
Trouble began when Mohbad reported feeling nauseous midway through the injection and went to vomit. His body soon developed goosebumps, which his wife claimed was a common reaction to injections. Efforts were made to relieve his discomfort by pouring water over him.
Desperate to find a solution, Ogedengbe and Spending rushed to locate hydrocortisone and saline infusion to treat Mohbad’s apparent allergic reaction. By the time they managed to purchase the medications, news reached them that Mohbad was convulsing.
Race Against Time
The rush to save Mohbad’s life was hampered by heavy traffic. Eventually, the singer had to be transported on a motorbike to the first hospital, where CPR was attempted, but he was declared brought in dead. The chaotic search for medical help continued, with a second hospital also refusing to admit Mohbad’s lifeless body.
Ogedengbe’s distress was palpable as she narrated how she was left waiting in the hospital’s reception, while frantic efforts were made to get official documentation of Mohbad’s death. The singer’s body was eventually brought back to his house at around 8 PM, with a legal quest for a death certificate continuing late into the night.
Opinion: A Tragedy That Could Have Been Prevented?
The horrifying ordeal described by Ogedengbe exposes several troubling realities about Nigeria’s healthcare and emergency response systems. From the heavy traffic hindering the timely arrival of treatment to the refusal of hospitals to admit a dying or deceased patient, Mohbad’s case underscores systemic failures that have become far too common.
Moreover, the reliance on an auxiliary nurse rather than a qualified medical practitioner to administer potentially risky medications raises questions about accessibility and awareness of proper healthcare services. Even more alarming is the fact that Mohbad’s wife and friends appeared unaware of how to respond to signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as the goosebumps he displayed.
This tragedy speaks to a broader need for increased public awareness about emergency medical responses, improved healthcare infrastructure, and more stringent regulations on the administration of drugs. One can only wonder if Mohbad’s fate would have been different if those responsible for his care had better knowledge and quicker access to proper medical treatment.
But beyond the grief, this case should serve as a wake-up call for reforms, so that no family ever has to endure the helplessness and agony that accompanied Mohbad’s last moments.
