Mohbad DNA Case Adjourned to Nov 16 Over Testing Concerns

A Lagos court has adjourned proceedings in the long-running DNA paternity case involving the late singer Ilerioluwa “Mohbad” Aloba until November 16, 2026, after a family seeking to join the suit raised fresh questions about the integrity and logistics of the proposed testing process.

A representative of the party applying to join the proceedings said a newly appointed court officer had been tasked with examining their objections. The representative voiced reservations about the designated centre, particularly the involvement of its director, who he claimed had previously handled a related DNA request. He sought clear answers on whether the facility would perform the full analysis or only collect samples for transfer to another laboratory, as well as precise details on the collection site, handling protocols, and expected timelines for moving samples.

He cited an earlier transfer that allegedly stretched six to eight months. According to the representative, the Alaba (Aloba) family later contacted the laboratory said to be responsible and was informed it had never received samples linked to Buford or Ejero; the eventual result was reported as inconclusive. The new officer listened to the concerns, undertook to investigate, and promised a report. The family said it would await that feedback before deciding its next steps, while stressing that it wants the DNA test carried out promptly—but only under conditions that guarantee transparency and protect the integrity of the process.

The adjournment is the latest delay in a dispute that has kept Mohbad’s remains unburied nearly three years after his death on September 12, 2023. His father, Joseph Aloba, has consistently insisted on a court-supervised post-mortem DNA test using the singer’s own tissue samples to establish the paternity of his grandson, Liam, before any final burial. The family has rejected alternatives that rely on samples from living relatives, arguing those methods risk inconclusive outcomes.

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Earlier stages of the case saw the Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court order tests at multiple accredited laboratories, including facilities in Nigeria and abroad. Two of the overseas centres previously nominated later confirmed they do not perform the required post-mortem testing on embalmed remains, prompting further complications and fresh court applications.

Separately, the Inspector-General of Police approved a fresh investigation into the circumstances of Mohbad’s death earlier this month following a petition from the Aloba family. That probe is proceeding independently of the DNA proceedings.

The November 16 date will give the newly assigned officer time to report on the testing concerns. Both sides have repeatedly emphasised the need for a credible, court-supervised process that all parties can trust.