Fresh probe into Mohbad’s death hangs on September 29 court judgment

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of late singer Mohbad.

The date was fixed by Justice James Omotosho on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after hearing final submissions in the matter.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, was filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, which is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing the police to reopen its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.

The respondents in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

During the proceedings, none of the respondents appeared in court or was represented by counsel.

Counsel to the applicant, Chief Tunde Falola, adopted all the processes filed on behalf of the foundation and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

Falola told the court that the organisation was dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier investigation and believed the case deserved to be revisited.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, he said, “The circumstances surrounding his death remain mysterious and deserve public attention.”

He added, “As a human rights organisation seeking justice, we believe the police should reopen the investigation.”

Explaining the legal action, Falola said the case is “a mandamus proceeding aimed at compelling the police to revisit the investigation into the cause of Mohbad’s death.”

During the hearing, Samson Obaboye applied to be joined as an interested party, saying he supported the pursuit of truth, transparency, accountability and justice in the case.

Justice Omotosho, however, dismissed the application, ruling that the applicant failed to establish sufficient legal interest to justify being joined in the suit.

Reacting to the ruling, Falola said, “You must show the court your interest in the matter.”

“The applicant did not establish that he is a police officer, a party to the suit, or someone directly connected with the proceedings.”

He further stated, “If every Nigerian were allowed to join the matter without demonstrating a legal interest, it would amount to an abuse of court process.”

Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, sparking nationwide calls for justice and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

His body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy, while legal and investigative proceedings relating to the case have continued.

The court is expected to deliver its judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, on whether the police should be compelled to reopen the investigation into the late singer’s death.