Court set to rule on fresh police probe into Mohbad’s death

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Mohbad

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed Sept. 29 for judgment in a fresh suit seeking to compel the police to reopen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

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Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after taking arguments from counsel to the applicant, Chief Tunde Falola.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General (IG) of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, who were sued as 1st to 3rd respondents, failed to appear in the matter.

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An NGO, Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, had filed the suit marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026’.

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The late Mohbad died on Sept. 12, 2023, in Lagos State.

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When the case was called on Thursday, none of the respondents were represented in court.

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Falola then adopted all the processes filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

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The court also heard an application by an applicant seeking to be joined in the case, Mr Samson Obaboye.

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Obaboye told the court that he supported calls for truth, transparency, accountability and justice regarding the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and wished to place relevant facts before the court.

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However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that the applicant failed to establish a sufficient legal interest in the case to warrant his joinder.

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The court had earlier granted leave to the NGO to commence the action through an ex-parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the singer’s death.

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Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Falola said the foundation approached the court because it was dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier police investigation.

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He stated that several critical aspects and possible leads were not adequately explored.

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According to him, the organisation is particularly concerned about individuals who were reportedly among the last people seen with the deceased.

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He insisted that their roles require further scrutiny.

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“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention.

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“As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” Falola said.

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He described the suit as a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling the police to revisit the investigation into the cause of Mohbad’s death.

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Commenting on the failed joinder application, Falola argued that the applicant had not demonstrated any direct interest in the case. (NAN)

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