The Dangers to Forensic Investigation driven by social media furore: MohBad Example

The internet has revolutionised the availability of information in an interconnected world, and social media has supercharged information sharing. Often, there are no filters and with a device and internet access, everyone is potentially an expert in any subject matter on Earth! However, this phenomenon comes with heavy risks: fake news, misinformation, and abuse of information. There have been tragic consequences of the situation, including suicides. homicides and accidents.

Frequently, an incident goes viral on social media and may require the intervention of concerned authorities by instituting relevant investigations on such matters.  The dangers lie in the effect of social media on the perception of people and how this could substantially influence critical decisions that border on freedom, well-being, and the lives of others. The reality is that, apparently, everyone consumes social media "products.” to some degree, even at the highest level of governance and decision-making organs. There are hardly any private or public organisations or entities of repute that do not have some form of social media handle for engaging with their audience and the public at large. It is important to assess the impact of the social media “wave” in the sail of the policy and practice ship in all areas of human endeavour where the tide could, mistakenly, be measured by the perception of the sea level and not necessarily by the facts thereof.

The recent death of a young and upcoming musician, popularly called by the stage name, MohBad, is a test case of how many commentators on social media (some of whom wield considerable influence) have run ahead of investigations to make categorical calls on what caused the death of the young man without recourse to the facts of the matter or available evidence. The real danger is how this is shaping the attitude or disposition of those (including the police) charged with the responsibility of investigating the death. The death of anyone is tragic but what would be a double calamity is the miscarriage of justice driven by emotions and the propensity for quick retribution by a vocal crowd. Sadly, it does not serve the interests of the dead, their families or the public to pursue acrimonious paths to “closure”, because it simply leads to a blind alley where everyone lives in the dark, injustice thrives, and resentment soars.

There is a need for training and retraining of investigators in this era of ubiquitous exposure to media of different characters and intents, where misinformation has become an occupation for some, who live off passing their imaginations as facts and deliberating sowing confusion as their power of leverage. We need to have police officers and other investigators who are availed modern training that conditions them to resist the strong urge to work from a predetermined answer to the question. Rather, to build a team of investigators and experts who formulate the right questions and hypotheses in their approach to investigation and tune off the distracting cacophony of social media narratives, that are sometimes driven by personal interests and pecuniary compensation. The obsessions over “hits”, “channel subscriptions”, and “followership” are in overdrive, and insulating investigators and others that play significant roles in the justice mechanism will be crucial to preserving our civilisation and preventing a descent into anarchy.

Meanwhile, death is inevitable. It could occur at any time and in any age group. However, when any death appears unnatural, it is mandatory for relevant authorities saddled with the responsibility to conduct a proper forensic death investigation. It is very crucial to follow the facts and route the evidence leads. Any actions pandering to the social media frenzy have an unacceptable risk of ending in a cul-de-sac with many casualties on the trail, including the reputation of the investigating agencies. 

MohBad life matters. Other lives also matter. The social media “commentators”, “investigators, “panels” and “judges” are not particularly known for their objectivity predicated on facts. Caution is advised.

Reported Death of 3 Medical Doctors in a Hospital in Lagos State within 5 Days! A Call for Investigation

The death of three medical doctors of the same cadre and in the same hospital of the same State within an interval of 5 days stretches the phenomenon of happenstance. This is a relatively massive loss in a context with a staggering patient-to-doctor ratio. It is also frightening for colleagues who work in the same environment. The devastating impact on the families and loved ones of the deceased colleagues can only be imagined.

Doctors in Nigeria have complained of the heavy burden of rendering care to patients in an environment with an acute shortage of healthcare workers, crushing insecurity (with some medical doctors still in the captivity of kidnappers across different parts of the country), crushing economic impact with high inflation and stagnant remunerations, and a toxic work environment with unhealthy inter- and intra-professional rivalries and relationships that make going to work a daily survival, coupled with a lack of amenities and an unsafe workplace. Recently, many doctors have quit their services and are relocating to other parts of the world, mainly to escape the unrelenting insecurity, comparatively poor remuneration, and lack of job satisfaction. The death of three senior doctors in one hospital within five days has only worsened the statistics in that setting and, understandably, created fear in the minds of colleagues and the entire community.

The relevant authorities in Lagos State should give these tragic incidents the seriousness they deserve. There are already some agitations among the colleagues of these doctors about the apparent lack of urgency in addressing the dire situation and grave concerns about health and safety at the workplace. The matter should not be dismissed as a coincidence. The management of the hospital is expected to have commenced some investigation to understand what common thread might have run through these deaths in such a remarkably short period of time. The medical association must not relent in ensuring that the facts of these incidents are evident, in preventing similar deaths, or in better managing either communicable or non-communicable diseases that may be in the background of these deaths. Furthermore, the bereaved families deserve answers they may require about the cause and circumstances of death.