About three years after the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, a civic advocacy group, Lagosians For Truth and Justice, has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, demanding a fresh, transparent and independent forensic review into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Group's Call for Justice
The group, in the petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, stated that the case has evolved beyond entertainment or celebrity discourse. It has become a national test of whether the Nigerian justice system can genuinely inspire public confidence when difficult questions remain unanswered and public emotions continue to intensify.
The group’s spokesperson, Rotimi DaSilva, who signed the petition, recalled that since the beginning of the investigation, the handling of the case has raised serious concerns that cannot continue to be ignored. The group noted that contradictory public statements, disputed forensic narratives, unresolved toxicology concerns, inconsistencies in witness testimonies, and the continuous emergence of fresh controversies have only deepened public suspicion that critical truths may still remain hidden.
Demands for Transparency
“It is for this reason that we once again urge the Lagos State Police Command and the office of the Inspector General of Police to carefully revisit these concerns and ensure that no legitimate question connected to this case is ignored or overlooked,” the group stated. “This renewed correspondence should therefore not be viewed as an isolated complaint, but as part of a consistent and sustained public call for accountability, transparency, and justice in a matter that continues to attract national and international attention.”
To ensure accountability in the investigation, the group demanded that a completely independent forensic review involving credible experts whose findings can withstand both local and international scrutiny should be adopted. They warned that any process clouded by uncertainty or lack of openness will continue to face public doubt.
DNA and Witness Re-evaluation
The group further called for an independently supervised DNA process that is transparent and professionally handled to finally address the prolonged controversy surrounding the paternity issue and restore public confidence in the integrity of the process. It also urged a re-evaluation of key witnesses and persons connected to Mohbad’s final hours, especially where inconsistencies continue to emerge in public statements and testimonies.
“The death of Mohbad exposed more than one tragedy. It exposed the vulnerability of young Nigerians within exploitative systems, the weakness of institutional communication, the fragility of public trust, and the consequences of investigative opacity,” the group concluded.
