Lagos magistrate mandates paternity testing for late singer’s child amid family inheritance dispute over estate rights.
IKORODU, Lagos – A Lagos magistrate ordered DNA testing Tuesday to determine paternity of Liam Aloba, son of late Afrobeats singer Mohbad. The ruling appears to address a messy family dispute over inheritance rights following the controversial death of the 27-year-old artist in September 2023.
Why Two DNA Tests?
Magistrate Adefisoye Sonuga at Ikorodu Magistrate Court didn’t take any chances, she mandated two separate DNA tests. One test must happen within Nigeria, while another will take place at an internationally accredited medical facility.
Both parties and their legal representatives have to witness the sample collection process. The court was pretty specific about this: all testing must occur at government-approved medical facilities to ensure nobody can question the results later.
Here’s where it gets a bit grim, genetic material will be obtained from Mohbad’s preserved remains at Military Hospital in Yaba, Lagos. Posthumous paternity testing isn’t exactly common, but it may be the only way to settle this dispute definitively.
Father’s Demands Raise Questions
Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, filed the application arguing that confirming Liam’s biological parentage is essential for child welfare decisions. According to TheCable’s report, Aloba maintains his son should not be reburied until paternity questions are resolved.
That stance has raised eyebrows among some observers. The dispute clearly centers on inheritance rights to Mohbad’s estate and future music royalties. As a rising star in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene, the singer had likely accumulated significant assets and intellectual property before his untimely death.
Legal experts point out that establishing biological paternity is crucial under Nigerian inheritance law. The outcome will determine Liam’s legal standing as an heir to the estate, which could be substantial given Mohbad’s growing popularity before his death.
Death Circumstances Still Murky
Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, died September 12, 2023, after receiving an injection from auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe. He was buried the following day, but public outcry led to his exhumation on September 21, 2023, for autopsy.
The pathologist’s revelation in May 2024 was frustrating for everyone involved: the cause of death could not be determined due to body decomposition. This inconclusive result has complicated pretty much everything related to his estate and legacy.
The circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death sparked widespread concern about healthcare protocols for entertainers. His passing genuinely shocked fans and fellow musicians across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, many felt he was just hitting his stride.
Bigger Picture for the Industry
This case seems to highlight a troubling pattern among young Nigerian artists who often achieve sudden fame without adequate legal protections. Industry observers worry that similar disputes could emerge as Afrobeats continues its global expansion and more artists accumulate wealth quickly.
Social media discussions around the paternity case have been intense, with fans clearly divided over the family’s handling of Mohbad’s legacy. Many supporters would prefer focusing on celebrating his musical contributions rather than watching prolonged legal battles play out in public.
The dispute reflects what appears to be broader tensions within entertainment families regarding inheritance rights and asset distribution. Such cases often become public spectacles in Nigeria’s celebrity-focused media landscape, though whether that serves anyone’s interests is debatable.
What Happens Next
The case resumes November 11, 2025, which should give enough time for dual DNA testing completion. Both domestic and international testing requirements might extend the timeline depending on laboratory availability and processing speeds.
Legal teams will need to coordinate carefully with medical facilities to maintain proper chain of custody for genetic samples. The international testing component adds complexity but probably provides additional credibility to whatever results emerge.
The court’s insistence on dual testing reflects the high stakes involved and the need for unquestionable scientific evidence. Results will likely determine final inheritance resolution and potentially allow Mohbad’s reburial, assuming the family can agree on next steps.
Once paternity is established, the family can theoretically proceed with estate distribution and memorial planning. Whether this outcome will set precedent for similar cases in Nigeria’s entertainment industry remains to be seen.
