Court Orders Fresh Probe Into Mohbad’s Death as Family Fights for Justice

Federal High Court authorises NGO to compel police to reopen investigation

A Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized an NGO to seek a fresh police investigation into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known professionally as Mohbad, more than two years after the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved.

The court granted the application, allowing the organization to formally compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen its investigation. The ruling comes after months of public frustration with the slow pace of the coroner’s inquest, which has been bedeviled by delays, disputes over DNA testing, and conflicting testimonies.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His death sparked nationwide protests and a social media firestorm, with many Nigerians demanding accountability. The initial police investigation concluded that there was no evidence of foul play, a finding that the singer’s family and supporters rejected outright.

Since then, the legal battle has taken several turns. Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, has been locked in a paternity dispute over the singer’s son, Liam, with the court ordering DNA tests that have been delayed by disagreements over which laboratories should conduct them. In April, Aloba rejected the court’s appointment of an independent lab, demanding a parallel test.

Separately, the police re-arrested Mohbad’s associate, Ayobami Sodiq (known as Spending), in November 2025 as part of what they described as a renewed investigation. Mohbad’s widow, Wunmi Aloba, was also re-invited for questioning. But these moves produced no public conclusions, and the case seemed to drift back into limbo.

The Federal High Court’s latest ruling gives the NGO legal standing to push for a more thorough investigation, potentially forcing the police to examine evidence that the initial probe overlooked or dismissed. It does not guarantee a new investigation will happen, but it removes a procedural barrier that had kept the case from moving forward.

For Mohbad’s supporters, who have maintained a steady drumbeat of “justice for Mohbad” across social media for over two years, the ruling offers a sliver of hope. For the justice system, it is a reminder that high-profile deaths cannot simply fade into bureaucratic silence.

Sources: ThisDay Nigeria, ShanksNews, AfricaPulse