Court Schedules Sept. 29 Ruling in New Mohbad Investigation Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 29, 2026, for the delivery of its judgment regarding a lawsuit aimed at compelling the Nigeria Police Force to reopen the investigation into the death of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, established this date following the final arguments presented by the counsel for the applicant.The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, lists the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police for the Lagos State Command as respondents.However, when the case was called, none of the respondents were present in court.Chief Tune Falola, the counsel for the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, an NGO, Adopted all documents filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the requested reliefs. Additionally, the court considered an application from Samson Obaboye, who sought to be included in the suit as an interested party.Obaboye informed the court of his support for calls for truth, transparency, accountability, and justice regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death, expressing his desire to present relevant facts to the court.Justice Omotosho, on the other hand, rejected the application, stating that the applicant did not demonstrate sufficient legal interest in the case to justify his inclusion.Previously, the court had granted permission to the foundation to initiate the action through an ex parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus to compel the police authorities to conduct a renewed investigation into the singer’s death.After the proceedings, Falola addressed journalists, explaining that the foundation sought the court's intervention due to dissatisfaction with the results of the prior police investigation, contending that several critical aspects and potential leads were not thoroughly examined.He emphasized that the organization was particularly concerned about individuals who were reportedly among the last to be seen with the deceased, asserting that their involvement warranted further investigation.“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention.“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” Falola said.He characterized the lawsuit as a mandamus action intended to urge the police to reexamine the investigation surrounding the circumstances of Mohbad's death.Regarding the unsuccessful joinder application, Falola stated that the applicant did not establish any direct interest in the case.“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.“If every Nigerian were allowed to join the matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process,” he said.Mohbad, whose full name is Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, passed away on September 12, 2023.After thorough investigations and an extensive coroner's inquest, the official ruling determined that the cause of the singer's death was due to severe medical negligence.