The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday fixed May 28 for the hearing of a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen an investigation into the death of popular musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad, his stage name.
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, also ordered that hearing notices be served on the Inspector General of Police, the NPF, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to ensure their appearance.
The suit was instituted by a non-governmental organisation, the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation.
The group had, on April 15, secured the court’s leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the police to conduct what it described as a thorough, diligent, impartial and professional reinvestigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death in Lagos in September 2023.
Following an ex parte motion, the court granted permission for the applicant to seek “an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to perform their statutory duties as provided under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020.”
Part of the relief sought includes inviting all persons who were last seen with the deceased, particularly his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, close associates, and his father, Joseph Aloba.
The application also urged the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the hurried burial of the late singer without prior police clearance, and to arrest and prosecute any individual found culpable.
In a ruling, Justice Omotosho directed that court processes be served on the Commissioner of Police in Lagos through substituted means.
The court held that service should be effected by delivering the documents to any officer at the Legal Department of the NPF Headquarters, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Monday, counsel to the applicant, led by Chief Tunde Falola, informed the court that all respondents had been duly served with the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/636/2026.
Satisfied with the submissions, Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter till May 28 for hearing.
Naija News reports that the controversial death of the 27-year-old artiste in 2023 sparked widespread outrage, with many fans alleging foul play.
The incident also triggered the #Justice4Mohbad protests both within and outside Nigeria, amid concerns over the perceived failure of security agencies to unravel the circumstances of his death.
Nearly three years after the incident, there has been no significant breakthrough in the investigation.
