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 set the date on Thursday after hearing arguments in the case filed by a non-governmental organisation, Break the Silence Foundation.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, lists the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, as respondents.
However, none of the respondents was represented in court when the matter was called.
Counsel to the foundation, Tunde Falola, adopted all filed processes 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 case as an interested party.
Obaboye told the court he supported calls for truth, transparency, accountability, and justice regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death, and said he wished to present relevant facts.
Justice Omotosho, however, dismissed the application, ruling that the applicant failed to establish sufficient legal interest to warrant 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 to conduct a fresh investigation into the singer’s death.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Falola said the foundation filed the suit due to dissatisfaction with the earlier police investigation, which it argued failed to adequately explore key leads and circumstances.
He said the group was particularly concerned about individuals reportedly among the last people seen with the late singer, insisting their roles required further scrutiny.
“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention,” he said.
“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation.”
Falola described the case as a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling law enforcement authorities to revisit the investigation.
On the dismissed joinder application, he said the applicant failed to demonstrate any direct legal 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,” he said.
“If every Nigerian were allowed to join a matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process.”
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, sparking nationwide outrage and sustained 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 concluding investigations has also stalled his final burial, with his remains still in the custody of authorities.
In February 2025, a Lagos Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, discharged and acquitted singer Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry, and others of any involvement in Mohbad’s death, following legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions which found no evidence linking them to the incident.
