Court Mandates Three Independent DNA Tests to Resolve Mohbad's Son Paternity Dispute
The legal battle surrounding the paternity of late Nigerian singer Mohbad's son, Liam, has taken a significant turn with a court-ordered resolution. The Ikorodu High Court has issued a landmark ruling requiring three separate DNA tests to be conducted at international laboratories, aiming to conclusively settle the family dispute that has persisted since the artist's tragic death.
Court's Comprehensive Testing Strategy
During the latest hearing attended by Mohbad's father, Joseph Aloba, and his legal representative Barrister Oladayo Ogungbe, the court delivered a detailed ruling designed to ensure absolute transparency and credibility. The decision mandates that DNA testing will occur at three different facilities located outside Nigeria, with each party to the dispute nominating one laboratory while the court appoints the third independent facility.
This multi-laboratory approach represents a strategic move to prevent any potential compromise of the testing process. According to Barrister Ogungbe, earlier attempts at DNA testing faced substantial challenges when a welfare officer supervising the matter suggested a local facility that lacked the technical capacity for tissue-based analysis. This limitation prompted both sides to propose alternative solutions, ultimately leading to the court's decision for international testing at multiple locations.
Ensuring Process Integrity and Fairness
The court's arrangement includes specific safeguards to protect the integrity of the DNA testing process. All three tests will utilize tissue samples to guarantee maximum accuracy, and representatives from both sides of the dispute will be present during sample collection to ensure proper procedure. Perhaps most significantly, the multiple-test approach creates a built-in verification system where any discrepancy between results would immediately indicate potential foul play or procedural issues.
Barrister Ogungbe clarified that Joseph Aloba will not bear financial responsibility for the testing costs, and the late singer's father expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. "The use of three facilities was acceptable to me," Aloba stated, indicating his approval of the comprehensive approach designed to eliminate lingering doubts about Liam's paternity.
Background of the Prolonged Family Dispute
The DNA testing saga represents just one aspect of the complex family disputes that have emerged following Mohbad's untimely death on September 12, 2023. The artist, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, passed away under circumstances that prompted investigations including the exhumation of his body later that same month. Since that tragic event, the family has been embroiled in multiple conflicts concerning DNA verification, inheritance matters, and the pursuit of justice for the deceased musician.
Joseph Aloba has maintained a consistent position that Mohbad's remains should not receive final burial until DNA testing confirms Liam's paternity. This stance has created tension with Mohbad's widow, Wunmi, who has consistently asserted that Liam is indeed Mohbad's biological son. The father's insistence on DNA verification stems from what he describes as essential clarification to resolve persistent questions surrounding the child's parentage.
Public Reaction and Case Adjournment
Social media responses to the court's decision have revealed sharply divided public opinion. Some commentators have questioned why the DNA testing process has experienced such prolonged delays, while others have criticized the ongoing legal proceedings as potentially harmful to the child involved. The matter has now been formally adjourned until February 10, allowing time for the implementation of the court's detailed testing protocol.
This development represents a crucial step toward resolution in a case that has captured national attention and sparked widespread debate about family disputes, legal processes, and the legacy of one of Nigeria's promising musical talents. The court's structured approach to DNA verification demonstrates an attempt to balance competing interests while ensuring scientific rigor and procedural fairness in determining paternity.
