The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an NGO leave to seek a court order compelling the Inspector-General of Police to reinvestigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Nigerian musician Ilerioluwa Promise Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Justice James Omotosho issued the ruling on Wednesday following an ex-parte motion filed by the NGO, Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, through their lawyer, Chief Tunde Falola. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, was dated February 23 and filed on February 24.
The NGO named the I-G, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Police Commissioner as the first to third respondents in the suit. Mohbad, a renowned hip-hop singer, died in September 2023 in Lagos State, sparking widespread public outcry across Nigeria and internationally.
The court granted the NGO leave to “apply for an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to perform their statutory duties as provided under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020.” This includes inviting all persons last seen with the deceased, particularly his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, close associates, and his father, Joseph Aloba of Ikorodu, Lagos, for questioning.
Justice Omotosho further directed that the police have the authority to arrest and charge anyone found directly or indirectly responsible for Mohbad’s death, if evidence warrants it.
The judge also permitted the NGO to serve the originating summons on the Lagos State Police Commissioner by delivering a copy to any officer at the I-G’s Legal Department, Force Headquarters in Abuja, deeming it proper service. The matter was adjourned until May 4 for hearing.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Bright Bassey, Litigation Secretary at Tunde Falola & Co, stated that the police have a duty to enforce laws and ensure justice for all citizens. He explained that the NGO intervened after public protests suggested Mohbad’s death was suspicious and that the initial police investigation was incomplete, particularly as some individuals last seen with the singer were not properly interrogated.
Bassey said the NGO had previously petitioned the Office of the President and requested the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja to oversee a fresh and impartial reinvestigation. Letters requesting thorough investigations, including the involvement of Mohbad’s father, had been sent to both the Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, but Bassey alleged that no proper reinvestigation had been conducted, necessitating the court action.
He emphasized that it is the constitutional obligation of the NGO to ensure justice for Mohbad and urged the court to grant the application in the interest of fairness and transparency.
