Court orders DNA test on Mohbad’s son after request by late singer’s father

The Magistrate Court in Ikorodu, Lagos, has ordered Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, tests to be carried out on Liam Aloba, the son of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Magistrate Adefisoye Sonuga, following an application filed by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, who is seeking to confirm the paternity of his grandson.

In his application, Joseph Aloba requested that the Chief Medical Officer or Pathologist in charge of the late singer’s remains at the Military Hospital, Yaba, remove samples such as tissue or hair to facilitate the test.

He also asked that the procedure be conducted at a certified medical facility in Lagos, elsewhere in Nigeria, or in an accredited hospital abroad, with costs borne by him.

The respondent in the case is Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, also known as Wunmi. Court filings stated that due to lingering doubts over the child’s paternity, a conclusive DNA test was necessary to determine his legal rights, his mother’s maintenance obligations, and overall welfare.

During the hearing, Joseph Aloba was represented by Augustine Adegbemi of the law firm of Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, & Co., while Kabir Akingbolu appeared on behalf of Wunmi.

The application was moved by the applicant’s counsel and was not opposed by the respondent’s legal team.

Granting the application, Magistrate Sonuga directed that two separate DNA tests be conducted in accredited hospitals, one in Nigeria and another abroad. The court further ordered that both parties or their representatives must be present when the samples are collected.

The matter was adjourned until November 11, for further proceeding.