ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed September 29, 2026, for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to reopen investigations into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.

Justice Omotosho fixed the date after hearing arguments in the matter filed by Break the Silence Foundation, a non-governmental organisation. The suit lists the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, as respondents.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, none of the respondents was represented in court when the matter was called.

During the hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Tunde Falola, adopted all processes filed on behalf of the organisation and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

The court also heard an application by one Samson Obaboye, who sought to be joined in the suit as an interested party. Obaboye told the court that he supported calls for truth, transparency, accountability, and justice regarding the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and wished to place relevant facts before the court.

However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that the applicant failed to establish sufficient legal interest in the case to warrant his joinder.

The court had earlier granted leave to the plaintiff to commence the action through an ex parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the singer’s death.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Falola said the organisation approached the court because it was dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier police investigation, arguing that several critical aspects and possible leads were not adequately explored.

According to him, the organisation is particularly concerned about individuals who were reportedly among the last people seen with the deceased, insisting that their roles require further scrutiny.

“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention,” he said.

“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” Falola said, describing the suit as a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling the police to revisit the investigation into the cause of Mohbad’s death.

Commenting on the failed joinder application, Falola argued that the applicant had not demonstrated any direct interest in the case.

He added that the applicant did not establish that he was a police officer, a party to the suit, or someone directly connected to the proceedings.

Falola further argued that if every Nigerian were allowed to join the matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, sparking widespread public outrage and demands for accountability over the circumstances surrounding his death.

The singer was buried the following day, but his body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy aimed at determining the cause of death.
Nearly three years after his passing, controversy continues to surround the case, delaying the final interment of his remains.

His father, Joseph Aloba, has consistently called for justice and clarity regarding the circumstances of his son’s death.