A magistrates’ court in Ikorodu has approved the conduct of three separate DNA tests abroad to determine the paternity of Liam, the son of late singer Mohbad.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Oladayo Ogungbe, counsel to Joseph Aloba, disclosed that two of the tests would be conducted in laboratories in the United Kingdom, while one would take place in the United States.
Ogungbe stated that representatives of both parties — including Aloba and Wunmi, Mohbad’s widow — would be present to supervise the collection of samples.
“The court has eventually 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,” he said.
He confirmed that the case has been adjourned until 7 April for an update on the sampling process.
“The court has eventually 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,” he said.
“The matter has been adjourned to the 7th of April for us to report on the picking of samples. Prior before then, we would have made arrangements with the welfare officers to ensure that samples are taken, which will be supervised by the welfare officers, and it will be monitored. All the parties will be there when they take the samples.
“What we are still going to ensure is that it is done, and that we are going to monitor the process of the collection of samples. If possible, each party would have to get a representative.
“We need to get people from the location. W are not going to be there. We need a credible representative of the Aloba family at these centres.”
Mohbad died on 12 September 2023 after receiving an injection administered by an auxiliary nurse. He was buried the following day, but his body was exhumed on 21 September 2023 for an autopsy as part of a police investigation.
However, the probe encountered a setback in May 2024 when pathologists announced that the cause of death could not be established due to the advanced decomposition of the body.
Throughout the period, Aloba maintained that a DNA test must be conducted to confirm Liam’s paternity before the singer could be reburied.
In September, the Ikorodu magistrates’ court granted his application, directing that the test be carried out at a government-approved facility.
In October, Wunmi alleged that despite obtaining the court order, Aloba was attempting to obstruct and manipulate the DNA process.