Mohbad: Ikorodu High Court Orders Triple DNA Tests Abroad to Resolve Mohbad Paternity Dispute

In a bid to end the lingering family feud over the estate of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, the Ikorodu High Court in Lagos State has mandated three independent DNA tests to be conducted abroad to verify the paternity of his three-year-old son, Liam. The landmark ruling, delivered on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, pits Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, against the singer’s widow, Omowunmi Aloba (Wunmi), amid claims and counter-claims that have gripped the nation since Mohbad’s untimely death in September 2023.

The court’s directive requires both parties to nominate three foreign medical facilities equipped for tissue-based DNA analysis—a more robust method than the conventional cheek-swab technique—to ensure accuracy and dispel doubts. Justice Mobolaji Ogunba, presiding over the case, will then select one laboratory from each submission, with a third independent facility chosen by the court, bringing the total to three tests. All results must align for the findings to be deemed conclusive, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to transparency in this high-stakes family matter.

Barrister Oladayo Ogungbe, counsel to Joseph Aloba, disclosed the details during the resumed hearing, revealing that the order stems from previous hitches in local testing arrangements that raised suspicions of bias. “The court has emphasised that the selected labs must have the technical capacity for tissue-based testing to avoid any room for manipulation,” Ogungbe stated, adding that sample collection will occur in the presence of all parties to guarantee integrity. He further assured that Joseph Aloba would not bear the cost of the tests, a move aimed at levelling the playing field in the protracted legal battle.

Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, passed away on September 27, 2023, at the age of 27 under mysterious circumstances that ignited widespread protests and calls for justice across Nigeria. His death, initially attributed to an allergic reaction but later mired in allegations of foul play involving his former record label, Marlian Music, exposed deep-seated issues in the Nigerian music industry, including bullying and inadequate healthcare. In the aftermath, the singer’s unburied remains have become a poignant symbol of unresolved grief, with Joseph Aloba vowing not to lay his son to rest until Liam’s paternity is irrefutably confirmed. “We have nothing to hide from day one,” the grieving father has maintained, insisting the tests are essential to safeguard Mohbad’s legacy and estate.

Wunmi Aloba, who has faced intense public scrutiny and online harassment since her husband’s demise, has steadfastly defended Liam as Mohbad’s biological child, dismissing the paternity doubts as baseless smears. Sources close to her legal team indicate reluctance to engage in what they term a “witch-hunt,” but compliance with the court’s order appears inevitable to expedite closure. The dispute has not only strained family ties but also amplified broader conversations on posthumous rights, child custody, and the weaponisation of grief in celebrity circles.

Social media buzz on X (formerly Twitter) reflects a nation divided yet desperate for resolution. Users like @excessmagnet001 captured the sentiment in pidgin English: “Court don order 3 different DNA tests abroad to confirm if Mohbad na Liam papa… This latest court order suppose finally settle the long-time family dispute once and for all.” Others, including @GuardianNigeria, amplified the news with calls for empathy, posting: “At the Ikorodu High Court, a fresh order was issued for three independent DNA tests to determine the paternity of Mohbad’s son, Liam.” Hashtags like #JusticeForMohbad and #LiamPaternityTest trended briefly, with netizens urging swift action to allow the family—and the singer’s fans—to heal.

The case was adjourned to February 10, 2026, for updates on the nominated facilities and logistics. As Nigeria’s entertainment landscape continues to mourn Mohbad, whose hits like “Kpk (Do Not Disturb)” and “Peace” remain anthems of resilience, this ruling offers a glimmer of hope for burying not just a body, but the bitterness that has haunted his memory.