Court Sets Date For Fresh Re-Investigation Into Mohbad’s Death

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed May 28 for the hearing of a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen and conduct a fresh investigation into the death of popular Nigerian musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.

The matter came up on Monday before Justice James Omotosho, who also directed that hearing notices be served on the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to ensure their appearance in court.

The suit was filed by a non-governmental organisation, the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, which is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the police to carry out what it described as a thorough, independent, and professional reinvestigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death in Lagos in September 2023.

The group had earlier, on April 15, obtained leave of the court to pursue the order, relying on provisions of Section 4 of the Police Act 2020 to insist that the police discharge their statutory duties. The application further requested that individuals who were last seen with the late singer, including his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, close associates, and his father, Joseph Aloba, be invited for questioning.

It also urged security authorities to probe the circumstances surrounding the hurried burial of the late artiste without police clearance, while calling for the arrest and prosecution of anyone found culpable.

Justice Omotosho had earlier ordered substituted service of court processes on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police through the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.

At Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the applicant, Chief Tunde Falola, informed the court that all respondents had been duly served with the originating processes. Following confirmation of service, the judge adjourned the case to May 28 for hearing.

Mohbad’s death in 2023 triggered nationwide outrage, with widespread allegations of foul play and sustained calls for justice under the #Justice4Mohbad movement, both within Nigeria and abroad. Nearly three years after the incident, the case remains unresolved, with no major breakthrough reported in the investigation.