Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Fresh Police Probe Into Mohbad’s Death
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, held that the NGO that instituted the suit lacked the legal standing to bring the action and also failed to provide credible evidence to support its allegations.

The judge said the applicant relied on speculation and assertions rather than concrete evidence to establish that the police had failed to properly investigate the singer’s death.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, was filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

The respondents reportedly did not appear in the matter.

The NGO had earlier obtained leave of the court to commence the action through an ex-parte application for judicial review.
It subsequently sought an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Mohbad, who died in Lagos on September 12, 2023.

The application, dated February 23 and filed on February 24 by Chief Tunde Falola, was based on allegations that the police had previously investigated the matter but failed to conduct a thorough probe.

The applicant specifically claimed that some relatives of the deceased, including his wife and father, were not investigated.
But Justice Omotosho faulted the NGO for failing to attach the report of the earlier police investigation to substantiate its claims.

The judge said without the original investigation report, the court could not determine whether the persons mentioned by the applicant were actually excluded from the investigation.

“Without this investigation report, there is nothing to show that the said persons were investigated or not,” the judge held.
He described the omission as making the applicant’s case “speculative and full of conjectures,” stressing that allegations without proof could not form the basis for granting the reliefs sought.

Justice Omotosho further criticised lawyers involved in the case for granting interviews and making social media posts while the matter was pending before the court.

The judge said lawyers should direct their grievances and legal arguments to the courts and their chambers rather than the media or social media platforms.
He warned that public comments on pending cases could influence public perception of evidence and proceedings before the court.

According to the judge, the court would not hesitate to invoke its contempt powers against any lawyer who flouts its orders by granting interviews or making social media posts concerning the matter.
Justice Omotosho ultimately held that the suit failed both for lack of locus standi and lack of merit.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby dismissed,” he declared.

Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Fresh Police Probe Into Mohbad’s Death
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, held that the NGO that instituted the suit lacked the legal standing to bring the action and also failed to provide credible evidence to support its allegations.

The judge said the applicant relied on speculation and assertions rather than concrete evidence to establish that the police had failed to properly investigate the singer’s death.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, was filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

The respondents reportedly did not appear in the matter.

The NGO had earlier obtained leave of the court to commence the action through an ex-parte application for judicial review.
It subsequently sought an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Mohbad, who died in Lagos on September 12, 2023.

The application, dated February 23 and filed on February 24 by Chief Tunde Falola, was based on allegations that the police had previously investigated the matter but failed to conduct a thorough probe.

The applicant specifically claimed that some relatives of the deceased, including his wife and father, were not investigated.
But Justice Omotosho faulted the NGO for failing to attach the report of the earlier police investigation to substantiate its claims.

The judge said without the original investigation report, the court could not determine whether the persons mentioned by the applicant were actually excluded from the investigation.

“Without this investigation report, there is nothing to show that the said persons were investigated or not,” the judge held.
He described the omission as making the applicant’s case “speculative and full of conjectures,” stressing that allegations without proof could not form the basis for granting the reliefs sought.

Justice Omotosho further criticised lawyers involved in the case for granting interviews and making social media posts while the matter was pending before the court.

The judge said lawyers should direct their grievances and legal arguments to the courts and their chambers rather than the media or social media platforms.
He warned that public comments on pending cases could influence public perception of evidence and proceedings before the court.

According to the judge, the court would not hesitate to invoke its contempt powers against any lawyer who flouts its orders by granting interviews or making social media posts concerning the matter.
Justice Omotosho ultimately held that the suit failed both for lack of locus standi and lack of merit.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby dismissed,” he declared.