Court Fixes September 29 for Mohbad Case Judgment

The Federal High Court Abuja has scheduled September 29, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit seeking to compel police authorities to reopen investigations into the death of late Nigerian singer Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after hearing arguments in the case brought by the Break the Silence Foundation, a non-governmental organisation pushing for a fresh probe into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.

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. None of the respondents appeared in court when the matter was heard.

During proceedings, counsel to the foundation, Chief Tunde Falola, adopted all documents filed on behalf of the organisation and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought. He argued that several aspects of the earlier investigation were not thoroughly examined and that additional scrutiny was necessary.

The court also considered an application by Samson Obaboye, who sought to join the proceedings as an interested party. Obaboye stated that he supported calls for transparency, accountability and justice in the Mohbad death investigation. However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the request, ruling that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient legal interest in the matter.

According to Falola, the foundation approached the court because it remained dissatisfied with the outcome of the previous police investigation. He maintained that individuals believed to have been among the last people with the singer before his death should face further scrutiny.

The Mohbad death investigation has remained a matter of public interest since the singer died on September 12, 2023. His body was exhumed days later for an autopsy, but controversy surrounding the circumstances of his death has continued.

With the hearing now concluded, attention will shift to the court’s ruling, which could determine whether police authorities are compelled to reopen the Mohbad death investigation.