Court Opens Door to Fresh Probe Into Mohbad’s Death as Case Returns to Abuja High Court

A renewed legal push to reopen the investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad has gained momentum after a Federal High Court in Abuja fixed May 28 for hearing a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to revisit the case.

The decision by Justice James Omotosho followed arguments in a case filed by a non-governmental organisation, the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, which is asking the court to order a full reinvestigation into the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death.

Mohbad, whose real name is Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, died in September 2023 in Lagos, sparking nationwide outrage and sustained public demands for justice amid suspicions of foul play.

The court directed that hearing notices be served on key respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, to ensure their participation in the proceedings.

At the heart of the suit is a request for a writ of mandamus compelling the police to carry out what the applicants describe as a thorough, impartial, and professional reinvestigation into the singer’s death.

The group is also asking authorities to question individuals who were last seen with Mohbad, including his wife, close associates, and his father, while examining the circumstances around his burial.

According to court filings, the applicants argue that the police failed to fully discharge their statutory duties under the Police Act, prompting the demand for judicial intervention.

The court had earlier granted permission for the suit to proceed and ordered substituted service on the Lagos State Police Commissioner through the legal department of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

During Monday’s sitting, lawyers representing the applicant confirmed that all respondents had been duly served with court processes, paving the way for the case to move forward.

Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to May 28 for hearing.

The case has revived public attention on one of Nigeria’s most controversial celebrity deaths in recent years, which triggered the #Justice4Mohbad protests both within the country and abroad, as fans continue to demand accountability and clarity over what truly happened.