Court to rule on fresh Mohbad probe suit September 29

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 29, 2026, for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Inspector-General of Police to reopen investigations into the death of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Thursday after hearing arguments in the suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Break the Silence Foundation.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, has the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, as respondents.

However, when the matter was called, none of the respondents was represented in court

Counsel for the foundation, Tunde Falola, adopted all processes filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

The court also heard an application by 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 over the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and wished to place relevant facts before the court.

Justice Omotosho, however, 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 foundation 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.

Addressing journalists after the proceedings, Falola said the foundation 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.

He said the organisation was particularly concerned about individuals reportedly among the last people seen with the deceased, insisting that their roles required further scrutiny.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention.

“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” Falola said.

He described the suit as a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling the police to revisit the investigation into the cause of Mohbad’s death.

On the failed joinder application, Falola said the applicant failed to demonstrate any direct interest in the matter.

“You must show the court your interest in the matter. The applicant did not establish that he is a police officer, a party to the suit, or someone directly connected with the proceedings.

“If every Nigerian were allowed to join the matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process,” he said.

The reports that Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, sparking nationwide outrage and intense public scrutiny.

His body was exhumed nine days later for an autopsy, but controversy over the circumstances of his death has persisted.

The delay in obtaining conclusive answers has also stalled his final burial, with his remains still in the custody of authorities.

In February 2025, a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba, discharged and acquitted singer Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry and others of any involvement in Mohbad’s death after legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions found no evidence linking them to the incident.