Omowunmi Aloba, the widow of the late Nigerian singer and rapper Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, has reportedly agreed to a DNA test to confirm the paternity of their only son, Liam, following a legal dispute with Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba.
The case, which has stirred significant public interest, saw both families locked in a disagreement over the paternity of the young child.
Mohbad’s father had filed a suit earlier, requesting a DNA test to establish a biological link to his grandson. However, attempts to serve legal papers to Omowunmi encountered difficulties, leading to a protracted standoff between the parties.
A Lagos Magistrates Court in Ikorodu had advised the family to pursue alternative dispute resolution, but those negotiations ultimately failed to yield an agreement.
In a statement released on Sunday, October, 28, 2024, Monisola Odumosu, representing the family’s legal team, confirmed that Omowunmi had now agreed to proceed with the DNA test.
According to the statement published by The PUNCH newspaper, Odumosu cited terms that had been finalised and filed, with the court adopting these terms as the judgement.
The agreement specifies that the DNA test will be conducted in an accredited medical facility within Lagos or an alternative hospital agreed upon by both parties.
Mohbad’s father has agreed to cover all associated costs, ensuring that the test moves forward smoothly.
The late Mohbad, who passed away at 27 in 2023 under widely publicised circumstances, rose to fame in Nigeria’s music scene and gained a loyal fanbase. His sudden death left behind a legal struggle over his family, now one step closer to resolution.
As a result, a 13-person special investigation team was established by the Lagos State Police Command on September 18, 2023, to look into the singer’s death.
Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, commonly known as Sam Larry, were arrested to answer questions on the circumstance of his death.
On September 21, 2023, Mohbad’s body was exhumed for an autopsy in order to determine the reason for his death.
According to the statement, the court ordered both parties to bear their respective costs for this case, except for the processing of the DNA tests, which the applicant agreed to cover.
“In the terms filed before the court, the respondent, Wunmi Aloba, consented to submit herself and her son, (Master Liam Aloba), for the conduct of a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) at Two (2) recognised and accredited government or private medical facilities within Lagos State or other agreeable hospital outside Lagos State.
“In turn, the applicant, Mr. Joseph Aloba, agreed to bear the cost of the DNA test processes, including the fees for the testing facility, the collection of samples, and any associated legal or administrative fees.
“The court further ordered that the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test be conducted at a mutually agreed-upon laboratory or medical centre within Nigeria. To ensure and ascertain the reliability of the test, the court further appointed some officers to supervise the process of the DNA test,” the statement read.