Court set to rule on fresh police probe into Mohbad’s death

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed Sept. 29 for judgment in a fresh suit seeking to compel the police to reopen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after taking arguments from counsel to the applicant, Chief Tunde Falola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General (IG) of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, who were sued as 1st to 3rd respondents, failed to appear in the matter.

An NGO, Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, had filed the suit marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026’.

The late Mohbad died on Sept. 12, 2023, in Lagos State.

When the case was called on Thursday, none of the respondents were represented in court.

Falola then adopted all the processes filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

The court also heard an application by an applicant seeking to be joined in the case, Mr Samson Obaboye.

Obaboye told the court that he supported calls for truth, transparency, accountability and justice regarding the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and wished to place relevant facts before the court.

However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that the applicant failed to establish a sufficient legal interest in the case to warrant his joinder.

The court had earlier granted leave to the NGO to commence the action through an ex-parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the singer’s death.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Falola said the foundation approached the court because it was dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier police investigation.

He stated that several critical aspects and possible leads were not adequately explored.

According to him, the organisation is particularly concerned about individuals who were reportedly among the last people seen with the deceased.

He insisted that their roles require further scrutiny.

“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,” Falola said.

He described the suit as a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling the police to revisit the investigation into the cause of Mohbad’s death.

Commenting on the failed joinder application, Falola argued that the applicant had not demonstrated any direct interest in the case. (NAN)

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