The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, shifted hearing in a fresh suit seeking an order compelling the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to reopen investigations into the death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad to June 25, 2026.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho had earlier granted leave to the plaintiff, a non-governmental organisation, Break the Silence Foundation, to commence the suit through an ex-parte application seeking a judicial review and an order of mandamus, compelling the police to conduct a fresh probe into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, was filed against the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
Counsel to the foundation, Chief Tunde Falola, addressing journalists after the stalled hearing on Wednesday said the organisation approached the court because of its dissatisfaction with the outcome of the earlier police investigation, alleging that some critical areas and possible leads were not properly examined.
Falola said the group was particularly concerned about persons who were last seen with the deceased, arguing that their roles required further investigation.
“The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention. As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation,” he said.
The lawyer explained that the matter could not proceed on Wednesday because the court was handling sensitive security-related criminal cases requiring continuous hearing, leading to the adjournment.
He, however, dismissed concerns over the delay, saying adjournments were normal in court proceedings.
Also speaking, a trustee of the foundation, Dr. Badiru Mohammed Bashir, said the organisation would continue to pursue the matter until justice was achieved.
He said the group believed new leads provided to the police required fresh examination.
“We believe the earlier investigation was not enough because there are new leads that need to be investigated. That is why we approached the court,” he said.
The foundation said its intervention was not selective, adding that it would support justice in any case brought before it involving alleged rights violations.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, evoking widespread mourning and anguish over the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
He was buried the following day, and was later exhumed on 21st September for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
For nearly three years, controversies have swirled around the death preventing the interment of the singer’s body.
His father, Joseph Aloba, has been advocating justice to establish the cause of his death, a move that has led to a legal dispute.
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