Mohbad’s family demands fresh probe, bars wife from using surname

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 issued on and signed by the head of the family, Omolayo Aloba, and Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, on Wednesday, the family directed the late singer’s partner, Wunmi Adebanjo, to stop using the family surname, Aloba, pending the outcome of a court-ordered DNA test.

According to the statement, the family said it remained resolute in its demand for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death, adding that it had appointed new legal counsel for all estate and DNA-related matters.

The statement partly read, “The Aloba family remains resolute in its demand for a transparent, independent, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death. The family is committed to seeing that justice is served, the truth uncovered, and those responsible held accountable.”

“The Aloba family has unanimously appointed Oladayo Ogungbe, Esq., of Ogungbe & Ogungbe Attorneys, as the sole and official legal representative of the family in all matters relating to the DNA case and the estate of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba (popularly known as Mohbad).

“Furthermore, the family has also unanimously agreed that Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, of Wahab Shittu, SAN & Co., shall continue to represent the family in all engagements and communications with investigative authorities concerning the ongoing inquiry into the cause of death of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad),” the statement added.

Addressing matters concerning Mohbad’s estate, the family named three administrators to manage the deceased’s assets, royalties, and intellectual property.

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They identified the administrators as Ajewole Aloba, Rasaq Famuyiwa, and Alonge Aloba.

“These administrators are authorised to immediately apply for letters of administration from the probate registry to lawfully manage all estate assets, including royalties, bank holdings, real and personal property, and musical intellectual property. The family has left one slot open for Wunmi Adebanjo to join the administrators if and when a valid court-ordered DNA test confirms that Liam is the biological son of the late Mohbad,” the statement added.

The family further requested that Wunmi Adebanjo, identified as the deceased’s partner, cease using the surname Aloba in public or private records until lawful confirmation of paternity is obtained and the family gives approval.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no statutory or customary marriage was contracted between the late Mohbad and Wunmi Adebanjo, as the required Yoruba traditional rites (payment of bride price) were never completed,” the statement disclosed.

The family added that if the DNA result confirms that the deceased fathered the child, Liam, both mother and child would be recognised within the estate administration process.

It, however, appealed to the public to remain calm and respect the judicial process, noting that the DNA verification was not intended to vilify anyone but to ensure legal clarity and fairness in the distribution of the estate. The statement also noted that a new burial and memorial date would be announced once legal and family matters are concluded.

“The family will announce a new burial date and memorial plan for Mohbad in due course after the completion of all internal and legal formalities on the DNA matter. Justice for Mohbad remains our unwavering goal, and we will continue to pursue it through lawful and peaceful means,” the statement read.

When contacted for a reaction on Wednesday, the legal representative of the late singer’s wife, Kabir Akingbolu, faulted the Aloba family’s directive restraining his client, Wunmi, from using her late husband’s surname.

Akingbolu, who represents Wunmi in the ongoing paternity and estate-related proceedings, said the family’s statement was another attempt to mislead the public despite several court-backed opportunities to conduct the DNA test they requested.

Akingbolu further explained that after the initial court order, the Aloba family allegedly withdrew from the process and changed legal representatives multiple times.

He said, “They were the ones who went to court to demand a DNA test. The court granted the order, but they refused to show up. We wrote four different letters to them, and they never came. They later came back with a new lawyer and asked that the DNA be done outside the country.

“The court again granted the order, yet they disappeared. Now, for the third time, they’ve filed another application, saying they want it done in a particular hospital abroad. We will not allow that because you cannot choose a hospital for the court. We are ready for the DNA any time, any day. The child is not a bastard, and my client has nothing to fear; she is a decent woman.”

Reacting to the family’s demand that Wunmi stop using the Aloba surname, Akingbolu dismissed it as illegal and sentimental.

He also cited constitutional backing for her right to continue bearing the name.

He said, “Nobody can stop her from bearing Aloba. That is the name given to her by her husband, and under the law, she has every right to keep it. The Supreme Court, in the case of Ojukwu vs Ojukwu, held that no one has a monopoly over a surname. There are thousands of Alobas in the world. They are the ones running from the DNA. We have always been ready — even if it’s today or tomorrow, we’ll be there,” Akingbolu added.

The development is the latest in the ongoing dispute between the family of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, and his widow, Wunmi, over the paternity of their son and the control of the singer’s estate.

Mohbad died at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, with the circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

Being a former signee of Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. The Lagos State Police Command had, on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported in 2024 that Mohbad’s father, through the family’s legal representatives, filed an application at the coroner’s court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos State, seeking to unravel the cause of the singer’s death and later demanded a DNA test to resolve the paternity dispute surrounding the child.