The family of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has renewed its demand for a post-mortem DNA test to determine the paternity of his son, Liam, insisting that only the artiste’s own biological tissue should be used.
In a letter addressed to the court and signed by the family’s lawyer, Oladayo Ogungbe, the Aloba family rejected any DNA procedure that relies on samples from Mohbad’s relatives. They described such an approach as scientifically unreliable and unacceptable.
According to the letter, the family is dissatisfied with the options presented so far and maintained that substituting Mohbad’s biological sample with that of relatives could lead to inconclusive or disputed results. They cited concerns allegedly raised by a medical professional, noting that DNA tests conducted using samples from extended family members may not provide definitive outcomes.
Mohbad’s remains were exhumed in 2023 following a Lagos State Government order for an autopsy amid widespread public outcry and allegations of foul play surrounding his death. While the autopsy was conducted, controversies regarding the circumstances of his death, his estate, and the paternity of his son have persisted in court and public discourse.
The family also expressed lack of confidence in conducting the DNA test within Nigeria, citing fears of compromise, contamination, or interference. As a result, they requested that the analysis be carried out in a reputable, internationally accredited laboratory in either the United States or the United Kingdom, where tissue-based post-mortem parentage testing is standard practice.
Additionally, the family called for strict safeguards, including transparent sample collection, independent observation during extraction, and a clearly documented chain of custody. They insisted on the ability to track the samples from collection to delivery at the overseas laboratory to ensure credibility and public trust.
Reaffirming their willingness to cooperate with the court, the family urged that any approved DNA testing process must uphold scientific integrity, fairness, and transparency.
The paternity dispute remains one of several unresolved issues surrounding Mohbad’s death, a case that continues to attract national attention within Nigeria’s music industry and beyond.
