A Lagos State magistrate court in Ikorodu has authorized three international laboratories to conduct a DNA paternity test for Liam, the son of the late Nigerian singer Mohbad (real name Ilerioluwa Aloba). The ruling specifies one laboratory based in the United States and two in the United Kingdom.
The decision follows a petition from Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, who requested the test to address questions regarding Liam’s paternity in the context of the ongoing investigation into the singer’s death in September 2023. Representing Aloba, counsel Oladayo Ogungbe confirmed the court’s order after the Wednesday session.
According to Ogungbe, the selection process involved all key parties. The legal team for Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Aloba, chose one of the UK laboratories. Aloba’s own legal representatives selected the laboratory in the US. To ensure impartiality, the court independently nominated a second UK-based facility as a third option. “The court has picked three DNA laboratory centres: two in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. One from us, one from them, and the court picked an independent one,” Ogungbe stated.
The court has adjourned the matter to April 7, 2026, for the physical collection of DNA samples from Liam. This process will be closely monitored by children’s welfare officers to safeguard the child’s interests, reflecting the sensitive nature of the case.
This development adds a significant layer to the multifaceted legal and public scrutiny surrounding Mohbad’s demise. The paternity test, demanded by the singer’s father, is anticipated to provide definitive clarification on Liam’s biological lineage. The results are likely to carry substantial implications for familial matters, including inheritance and custody discussions, amid the continued coroner’s inquest probing the circumstances of the musician’s sudden death. The selection of internationally based laboratories aims to ensure the process meets standards of transparency and credibility acceptable to all disputing parties.
