Joseph Aloba, father of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has insisted that his son’s remains will not be reburied until the paternity dispute over his grandson, Liam Aloba, is resolved through a DNA test.
Aloba spoke yesterday after proceedings in the DNA case were adjourned by the Magistrate Court in Ikorodu.
Chief Magistrate Salamah Matepo adjourned the matter to August 11, 2026, for the continuation of hearing on a motion filed by counsel to the Aloba family.Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, and his body was later exhumed for an autopsy. Almost three years after his death, the controversy surrounding a DNA test to determine the paternity of his son, Liam, remains unresolved, with Joseph Aloba insisting that the exercise must be concluded before the singer is finally laid to rest.
The latest development followed Aloba’s expression of disappointment after AlphaBio Labs and Advanced Histopathology Laboratory Limited, nominated by Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Aloba (Wunmi), and the Lagos State Government’s welfare officer, reportedly stated that they had not conducted the DNA test.
Speaking after the court session, counsel to the Aloba family, Oladayo Ogungbe, said establishing the child’s paternity would bring some measure of relief to the family.
“That is why we filed an application for a DNA test. To our surprise, Omowunmi Aloba filed another action in October 2025 seeking a DNA test for her own son. That confirms that the Aloba family was not wrong in demanding one.
“Upon discovering this, we filed an application and a notice of preliminary objection because we consider the action an abuse of the judicial process.
“An order was granted on May 5, 2026, after Wunmi instituted an action against the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Chief Medical Officer, Yaba, without joining the Aloba family. We were unaware of the proceedings. We have, therefore, filed a motion asking the court to set aside the order because there cannot be parallel proceedings on the same DNA matter.
“We also filed a motion seeking leave of the court to conduct the DNA test at a laboratory approved by the court. During our investigations, we discovered another issue and have taken the necessary legal steps.
“Wunmi wanted the court to choose a DNA centre without disclosing its identity to either party, but we objected because of the sensitive nature of the case.”
The welfare officer had earlier presented a laboratory to the court, but when we sought clarification on its capacity to conduct tissue-based DNA testing, the facility informed us that it is a cancer research centre and not a DNA laboratory.
“In the circumstances, we urged the court to approve a disclosed and credible DNA laboratory in the interest of transparency. All the Aloba family has been asking for is an open and transparent DNA process.
“The Mohbad case is unique, public confidence is at stake, and any result eventually produced must be beyond reproach,” he said.
Ogungbe added that the fact that a mother had instituted an action seeking a DNA test for her own son “leaves much to be desired.”
Speaking with The Guardian, Joseph Aloba maintained that the DNA test had become central not only to the paternity dispute but also to the quest for justice over his son’s death.
“This DNA test is a must. I am glad that many people are following the case. The issue goes beyond paternity. We are trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death. His death was not natural, so the DNA test has become the most important issue delaying his burial.
“There is a Yoruba proverb that says, ‘Ojo ta ba ri ibi ni ibi n wo’le’ (the placenta is buried on the day it is delivered). That was why I initially buried Mohbad. However, since his body was exhumed, many issues have emerged. We must conclude the DNA test before burying him again because his body remains vital evidence.”
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