The family of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has demanded the disclosure of the identity of a United States laboratory expected to conduct a DNA test to determine the paternity of his son, Liam.
The family also called for the postponement of the examination scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at Mainland General Hospital/IDH, Yaba, Lagos, pending clarification of concerns surrounding the testing arrangements.
In a statement signed by the family head, Samuel Aloba, on Thursday, the family expressed concerns over reports that biological samples would be collected in Lagos and sent to an undisclosed laboratory in the United States for analysis.
The family questioned whether the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, which it said was designated by a court order issued on May 5, 2026, would conduct the examination or merely collect and transfer the samples abroad.
It argued that the distinction was important, insisting that all parties were entitled to understand how the court’s directive would be implemented.
The family said any arrangement involving a foreign laboratory should be properly explained and, where necessary, presented to the court for clarification.
It also demanded the full name and address of the proposed US laboratory, evidence of its accreditation and technical competence, as well as details of the procedures for collecting, labelling, preserving, transporting and analysing the samples.
The family further requested a mechanism to independently verify that the samples collected in Lagos were the same ones received and examined by the overseas laboratory.
According to the statement, the family had been informed that the identity of the proposed laboratory might only be disclosed to the court.
However, it maintained that confidentiality should not undermine transparency, accountability and independent verification in a process with significant legal and personal implications.
The Aloba family stressed that its concerns were not intended to frustrate the judicial process or prevent a credible DNA examination but to ensure that the outcome would be scientifically reliable.
It also expressed apprehension about possible interference, mishandling or manipulation if adequate safeguards were not established before the exercise.
However, the family clarified that it was not alleging that the proposed examination had already been compromised or that any manipulation had been established.
The statement further raised questions about the handling of biological samples during the post-mortem examination conducted following Mohbad’s death.
It questioned the role of the pathologist involved in collecting samples during the coroner’s inquest.
The family also claimed that information obtained through its enquiries indicated that the laboratory to which samples from the earlier examination were reportedly sent had not received them or any specimen registered in the singer’s name.
It, however, acknowledged that the claims represented its account of the matter and were not established court findings or independently verified evidence of wrongdoing by any individual or institution.
The family reiterated its support for a credible DNA examination to resolve the dispute over Liam’s paternity but insisted that the identity of the testing laboratory and the chain of custody of the samples must be clearly established.
It consequently requested that Saturday’s exercise be postponed until its concerns were addressed, all parties and their legal representatives received adequate notice, and further directions were obtained from the court where necessary.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27.
Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command constituted a 13-member special investigation team to probe the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The dispute over Liam’s paternity has remained a subject of legal proceedings involving the singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, and his widow, Omowunmi Aloba.
