The family of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has renewed its call for a transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a statement signed by the head of the family, Omolayo Aloba, and Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, the family reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice and truth in the case. They also instructed Mohbad’s partner, Wunmi Adebanjo, to stop using the family surname, Aloba, until a court-ordered DNA test determines the paternity of her child.
According to the family, the decision is part of efforts to maintain legal and moral clarity as investigations continue. They emphasized their unwavering demand for a fair and thorough inquiry into Mohbad’s death, adding that they have appointed Oladayo Ogungbe, Esq., of Ogungbe & Ogungbe Attorneys, as the family’s new legal representative for all matters related to the singer’s estate and the ongoing DNA case.
The statement further confirmed that Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, will continue to represent the family in communications with investigative authorities handling the case.
On the issue of Mohbad’s estate, the family announced that three administrators, Ajewole Aloba, Rasaq Famuyiwa, and Alonge Aloba, have been chosen to manage the late singer’s assets, royalties, and intellectual property. The family also left one position open for Wunmi to join the administrators if and when the DNA test confirms that her son, Liam, is Mohbad’s biological child.
The family stressed that Wunmi should immediately cease using the Aloba surname in both public and private records until lawful confirmation of paternity is established. They also clarified that there was no statutory or traditional marriage between Mohbad and Wunmi, noting that the traditional bride price was never paid.
According to the family, if the DNA result confirms that Mohbad is indeed Liam’s father, both mother and child will be fully recognized within the estate administration process. The family appealed to the public to remain calm and patient as the legal process unfolds, stating that the DNA verification is not meant to shame anyone but to ensure fairness and transparency.
They added that a new burial and memorial date will be announced once all internal and legal matters are concluded. “Justice for Mohbad remains our unwavering goal, and we will continue to pursue it through lawful and peaceful means,” the statement read.
Responding to the family’s directive, Kabir Akingbolu, the lawyer representing Wunmi, dismissed the order as unlawful and misleading. He accused the family of deliberately delaying the DNA process despite multiple court-backed opportunities to conduct the test.
Akingbolu explained that although the court had granted their request for a DNA test, the family repeatedly failed to show up. He claimed they had written multiple letters to the Aloba family without any response.
He added, “They are the ones who went to court for the DNA test, and the court approved it. But they refused to appear. Later, they changed lawyers and requested the test to be done abroad. The court also granted that, yet they failed to show up again. We are ready anytime. The child is not illegitimate, and my client has nothing to fear.”
Reacting to the family’s demand that Wunmi stop using the surname Aloba, Akingbolu described it as both illegal and sentimental, noting that under the law, no one can prevent her from using her husband’s name.
He said, “Nobody can stop her from bearing the name Aloba. That was her husband’s name, and she has every legal right to use it. There are many Alobas in the world. They are the ones running from the DNA test. We are ready anytime, any day.”
This development is the latest in the ongoing dispute between Mohbad’s family and his widow over the paternity of their son and control of the singer’s estate.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, under circumstances that sparked widespread public outrage and demands for justice. He was a former signee of Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley, and left the label in February 2022.
Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command set up a 13-man special investigation team to probe the case. The family later filed an application at the Ikorodu Coroner’s Court seeking to determine the cause of death and also demanded a DNA test to establish the child’s paternity.
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