Lagos High Court Mandates Three Overseas DNA Tests in Mohbad's Son Paternity Dispute
The Ikorodu High Court in Lagos State has issued a significant ruling in the ongoing paternity case concerning Liam, the son left behind by the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. The court has ordered that three distinct DNA tests be conducted abroad to conclusively determine the child's paternity.
Background of the Paternity Controversy
Liam's paternity has been a subject of intense dispute on multiple occasions, primarily driven by Joseph Aloba, the father of the deceased singer. Mr. Aloba has publicly stated that the remains of Mohbad, who passed away on September 27, 2023, will not be laid to rest until a DNA test is performed to verify Liam's biological father. This stance has fueled legal proceedings and public interest in the matter.
Court Proceedings and Ruling Details
During the resumed hearing of the paternity case between Joseph Aloba and Wunmi, the singer's widow, on Tuesday, February 3, Barrister Oladayo Ogungbe, counsel to Mr. Aloba, announced the court's decision. The ruling specifies that three different DNA tests must be carried out at facilities located abroad.
According to Barrister Ogungbe, the court has directed Mr. Aloba's legal team to propose three different facilities abroad where the DNA tests can be conducted. Similarly, Wunmi's legal team has been given the same option to suggest three facilities. The court will subsequently select one facility from each team's list and then designate an additional center abroad for a third test, resulting in a total of three DNA examinations.
The court also emphasized that all selected facilities must be capable of performing tissue-based DNA tests, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the results. This requirement underscores the court's commitment to a thorough and impartial resolution of the paternity dispute.
Next Steps and Adjournment
The matter has been adjourned to February 10 for further proceedings, where the teams are expected to present their lists of proposed facilities. This development marks a critical juncture in the case, as it moves towards a definitive answer regarding Liam's paternity, which has been a point of contention since Mohbad's untimely death.
The ruling highlights the legal complexities involved in high-profile paternity cases in Nigeria, particularly when they intersect with cultural expectations and public scrutiny. By ordering tests abroad, the court aims to leverage international standards and expertise to deliver a verdict that is both credible and beyond reproach.
