Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in 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 late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The case was instituted by the Registered Trustees of the Break the Silence Foundation, a civil society organisation that is challenging the outcome of the police investigation into the singer’s death. The foundation is seeking a court order directing the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh and comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s demise.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the judgment date after hearing arguments from counsel to the applicant, Chief Tunde Falola, who urged the court to grant the reliefs sought in the suit.
According to the foundation, the initial investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities was inadequate and failed to sufficiently address critical issues and allegations linked to the case. The group argued that a fresh investigation is necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice.
The respondents in the suit include the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command. Reports indicate that none of the respondents was represented during the proceedings.
During the hearing, the court also dismissed an application by one Samson Obaboye, who sought to be joined as an interested party in the case. Justice Omotosho ruled that the applicant had failed to establish sufficient legal interest to warrant his inclusion in the proceedings.
Speaking after the court session, Falola maintained that several questions surrounding Mohbad’s death remain unanswered. He noted that individuals who were among the last known contacts of the late singer and other relevant aspects of the case deserved further scrutiny.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, in circumstances that sparked widespread public concern and demands for justice across Nigeria and beyond. Following public pressure, his body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy and further forensic examinations.
Despite multiple investigations and legal proceedings since his death, the case continues to attract significant public interest, with many Nigerians calling for a conclusive determination of the events leading to the singer’s passing.
The court’s ruling on September 29 is expected to determine whether the police will be legally required to reopen investigations into one of Nigeria’s most widely discussed and controversial celebrity death cases.
