The group argued that Aloba, as the individual who initiated the paternity challenge, retains the legal authority to supervise and determine how the DNA test is conducted. Aloba recently stated in a viral video that Mohbad would be laid to rest once the DNA issue is conclusively resolved.
“DNA Test Is a Family Matter Unless Ordered by Court” — Group
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Toby Bart, the group emphasised that there is no legal or moral basis for government agencies or state actors to interfere in a process they described as strictly family-initiated. Unless a court mandates otherwise, DNA tests remain private medical procedures handled by the parties involved.
The statement reads in part:
“The law is clear. The person who contests paternity and requests a DNA test controls the procedure. In this case, that person is Mohbad’s father. There is no Lagos court order demanding a DNA test, and the police report does not classify the DNA as a forensic requirement. Therefore, the state has no legal authority to impose itself or insist on supervising the sampling.”
Court Sets Aside New Application
Reports show that the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court set aside a fresh application filed on Tuesday by Aloba’s new lawyer, Oladayo Ogungbe, who sought an open, multi-laboratory DNA process. The application proposed that samples be taken by Aloba’s selected experts and sent to two independent laboratories in the United States and the United Kingdom for verification.
According to Ogungbe, the court suggested instead that samples be collected under its supervision and dispatched to a yet-to-be-disclosed foreign laboratory—a recommendation that Aloba’s supporters strongly oppose.
Group Rejects Court’s Position
Team Justice argued that excluding Aloba from a process he initiated is unjustified, especially when the alternative involves sending samples to an unnamed lab with no publicly verifiable chain of custody.
The group recalled the earlier controversies surrounding Mohbad’s exhumation, as well as the inconclusive autopsy and toxicology reports, warning that placing the DNA procedure under the same state institutions could further erode public trust.
They outlined several “non-negotiable conditions” for any credible DNA process:
- Sampling must be carried out by Aloba’s expert team.
- Testing must be done in two independent labs in the US and UK.
- All procedures must follow a transparent, internationally recognised chain of custody.
The statement further noted:
“Justice cannot be selective or shielded. It must be visible, verifiable, and free from interference. We stand with Baba Mohbad and with every Nigerian demanding accountability. The truth must be established beyond doubt.”
The group urged the family to immediately appeal the court’s position once the Certified True Copy of the ruling becomes available.
Ongoing Family Dispute Intensifies
The tension between Mohbad’s family and his widow, Wunmi Adebanjo, has persisted since the singer’s death. In November, PUNCH Metro reported that the family renewed calls for an independent investigation into his passing. They also instructed Wunmi to stop using the Aloba surname pending the outcome of a court-sanctioned DNA test.
The dispute has grown to encompass not only the paternity of young Liam but also broader control over Mohbad’s estate and legacy.
Background to the Case
Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Aloba, died at age 27 on September 12, 2023. The Lagos State Police Command subsequently set up a 13-man special investigation team to probe the circumstances of his death.
In 2024, Aloba filed an application before the Ikorodu coroner’s court seeking to determine the true cause of death and later formally requested a DNA test to resolve the paternity question—setting in motion the ongoing legal and familial dispute.
As proceedings continue, the call for transparency, fairness, and credibility remains at the centre of public attention, with many Nigerians watching closely to see how the next steps unfold.