Mr Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad, has filed a notice of appeal against the Lagos High Court ruling which upheld the legal advice that cleared music executive, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and show promoter, Balogun Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry, of any wrongdoing in his son’s controversial death.

The appeal, filed at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, seeks to overturn the July 2, 2025, decision delivered by Justice D.T. Olatokun.

Through his legal team led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, and Don Akaegbu, Aloba is challenging the Director of Public Prosecutions’ legal advice, which he argued was used to absolve key suspects in the late singer’s death.

In the appeal document on Tuesday, Aloba contended that the trial court erred by holding that the Attorney-General’s prosecutorial powers under Section 211(1) of the 1999 Constitution are absolute and not subject to judicial review.

He argued that such powers must be exercised in line with public interest, justice, and due process, and not used to shield any individual from prosecution.

Citing the Supreme Court case of Elias v. Arkas (2018) 10 NWLR (Pt 1626) Pg 37, the appellant contended that “such power was not beyond judicial scrutiny, especially when it appears contrary to the public interest, interest of justice, or amounts to abuse of legal process.”

He however urged the court “to allow the appeal and set aside the lower court’s ruling and issue an order of certiorari to quash the legal advice issued by the DPP with Reference No. LJP/HOM/2023/170 concerning Mohbad’s death.”

The Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro SAN, and the Director of Public Prosecutions were listed as respondents in the case.In an ex parte motion earlier filed before the Lagos High Court, Aloba argued that the coroner’s inquest, initiated on September 29, 2023, had not concluded its probe into Mohbad’s demise before the DPP’s actions were taken.

He further disclosed that key individuals who had been summoned by the Coroner’s Court and mentioned during the inquest were released prematurely and had yet to appear to clarify their roles in the case.

He added that the police and DPP allegedly acted without notifying the coroner, thereby obstructing the inquest’s statutory duties.

Music superstar 2Baba has announced a new chapter in his career with the unveiling of his new management team, A Guy Entertainment.

This team, comprising seasoned professionals in music, branding, digital innovation, and entertainment law, will oversee his career locally and internationally.

With over 20 years of experience in the music industry, 2Baba has redefined Afro-pop and inspired many artists.

The new management team will handle all aspects of his career, including music releases, brand partnerships, global engagements, and creative collaborations.

According to 2Baba, this change is a necessary part of growth, and he believes his new team understands his vision, legacy, and future direction.

The team is committed to making strategic decisions that reflect 2Baba’s identity and unmatched standard.

The statement reads: “We are pleased to officially announce a major new chapter in the legendary career of Nigerian music icon, Innocent Ujah Idibia, known and loved around the world as 2BABA.

“This exciting transition comes with the unveiling of a new management team, carefully assembled to reinvent and amplify every facet of 2BABA’s brand.

This move reflects a renewed focus not only on his rich musical legacy but also on the limitless potential that lies ahead in today’s evolving African entertainment landscape.

“With a career spanning over twenty years, 2BABA has redefined Afro-pop and inspired countless artists.

His timeless artistry, advocacy, and global appeal are hallmarks of excellence, and this new team has been brought on board to build on that legacy.

From music releases and brand partnerships to global engagements and creative collaborations, the team will manage the full spectrum of his career, both locally and internationally.

“I’m excited about this new chapter. Change is a necessary part of growth, and I believe this team understands my vision, my legacy, and where we’re headed next. We’re not just celebrating the past, we’re creating more magic.”

The new management team is made up of seasoned professionals in the music business, branding, digital innovation, and entertainment law.

They are all committed to strategic, value-driven decisions that reflect 2BABA’s identity and unmatched standard.

“In the coming months, fans and industry partners can expect a powerful rollout of new projects, live experiences, and social impact campaigns that will further define 2BABA’s next era.

“We remain anchored in authenticity, excellence, and a deep sense of social responsibility, which continue to position the music legend as a powerful voice across Africa and the diaspora.

2Baba expressed excitement about this new chapter, stating, “I’m excited about this new chapter. Change is a necessary part of growth, and I believe this team understands my vision, my legacy, and where we’re headed next. We’re not just celebrating the past, we’re creating more magic.”

A judge has denied bail to Sean “Diddy” Combs after a jury convicted the hip-hop mogul of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him of the most serious charges: racketeering and sex-trafficking.

Lawyers for the recording artist had argued he posed no flight risk, pointing out his jet is being chartered in Hawaii.

But Judge Arun Subramanian cited Combs’ history of violence as he ruled the rapper must remain behind bars until sentencing later this year when he faces up to 20 years in prison.

In the nearly two-month federal trial in New York City, prosecutors accused Combs of using his celebrity status and business empire to run a criminal enterprise to sex traffic women.

A panel of 12 jurors deliberated for 13 hours before acquitting Combs of three of the most serious five charges.

He will continue to be held at the same federal jail in Brooklyn where he has been detained since last September.

The sentencing was tentatively scheduled for 3 October.

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, made an impassioned argument for the judge to release his client.

The defence lawyer said Combs had attended a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence to try to reform his conduct, even before he was arrested, and that he had not been violent since 2018.

“I just think we should trust him,” Agnifilo said.

But Combs’ ex-girlfriend, musician Casandra Ventura, had warned the court in a letter that the hip-hop mogul posed a danger if released.

The rapper had acknowledged domestic violence, but denied any non-consensual sexual encounters or a larger racketeering scheme.

Judge Subramanian said bail was being denied because “the defence conceded violence in his personal relationship”.

The mood in court was emotional after jurors announced they had acquitted Combs of the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Sex trafficking and racketeering both carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

As Combs learned the verdict, he got on his knees, put his face into his chair and appeared to be praying. He was shaking.

The verdict comes a day after jurors told the court they had reached a decision on the sex-trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges against Combs, but were unable to decide on the racketeering count.

The jurors said they had had “unpersuadable” opinions on both sides about the charge, which was the most complicated of any of the counts Combs faced.

Racketeering conspiracy, or directing an illegal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (Rico), is the formal name for the charge.

To convict Combs on this charge, prosecutors had to prove he used his loyal network of associates to run a criminal enterprise to commit crimes including sex trafficking, kidnapping, drugging and obstruction of justice.

Defence lawyers argued the case could not be considered to be racketeering if members of Combs’ staff were not knowingly complicit.

Prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses over the course of the seven-week trial, including Ms Ventura, rapper Kid Cudi, several ex-employees and hotel security workers.

They alleged Combs had relied on employees to coerce his partners into so-called “freak-offs”, in which his girlfriends would have sex with a male escort while he watched and filmed.

The government relied on testimony from Ms Ventura, who took the witness stand while eight-months pregnant, telling the court that Combs had pressured her into sex acts and threatened to release tapes of the freak-offs if she disobeyed.

Ms Ventura warned on Wednesday that Combs would pose a danger if granted bail.

In a letter filed to the court, her attorney Douglas Wigdor wrote: “Ms Ventura believes that Mr Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”

At the centre of their case was a video of the rapper beating and dragging Ms Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016 – surveillance footage that security employees testified Combs tried to pay them to delete.

Combs’ attorneys conceded their client was violent towards women, but argued that his behaviour was motivated by drugs and jealousy, not evidence of a larger sex trafficking and racketeering scheme.

Combs is also facing dozens of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and violence.

The Harlem-born rapper founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, a label that represented some of the biggest names in hip hop – including Notorious B.I.G. and Usher.

He went on to establish a clothing line called Sean John and a variety of other businesses including fragrances, alcohol and even a media company.