The family of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has called for the postponement of the DNA test scheduled to establish the paternity of his son, Liam, pending clarification of concerns surrounding the testing process.
The family is demanding the identity and location of the United States laboratory reportedly expected to analyse the samples to be collected in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the family head, Samuel Aloba, the family expressed reservations about the proposed arrangement, particularly the decision to send biological samples abroad for examination.
It questioned whether the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, which it said was designated by a court order dated May 5, 2026, would conduct the test or simply collect and forward the samples to the foreign laboratory.
The family said, “This raises a fundamental question that must be answered before the exercise proceeds: Is the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre itself going to conduct the examination contemplated by the court, or is it merely going to collect and dispatch samples to another laboratory?”
It argued that any significant departure from the arrangement stipulated in the court order should be explained and, where necessary, subjected to further judicial clarification.
The family is also requesting the full name and address of the proposed American laboratory, proof of its accreditation, details of its testing procedures and evidence of its technical capacity to conduct the examination.
It further wants clear documentation of how the biological samples will be collected, labelled, preserved and transported, alongside measures to ensure that the specimens received by the overseas laboratory are the same ones collected in Lagos.
According to the statement, the family was concerned by reports that the identity of the proposed laboratory might only be disclosed to the court.
It maintained that confidentiality should not prevent parties involved in the dispute from verifying the credibility of the process.
“The integrity of the process must be capable of independent verification, from the point of sample collection to the final laboratory report,” the family stated.
The family explained that its demands were not intended to frustrate the judicial process or prevent the DNA examination but to ensure that the eventual result would be scientifically reliable and acceptable to all parties.
It also raised concerns about the handling of biological specimens during the post-mortem examination conducted following Mohbad’s death.
The family questioned the role of the pathologist involved in collecting the samples during the coroner’s inquest.
It further claimed that enquiries made by its representatives suggested that the laboratory reportedly meant to receive specimens from the earlier examination had not received samples registered in the singer’s name.
However, the family clarified that the allegation required further investigation and was not an established finding of the court or proof of wrongdoing by any individual or institution.
Reaffirming its support for a credible paternity test, the family said the examination should be conducted under transparent conditions, with adequate safeguards against possible interference or mishandling.
It consequently requested that the exercise scheduled for October 31 at Mainland General Hospital/IDH, Yaba, Lagos, be suspended until its concerns were addressed, all parties received adequate notice and any necessary clarification was obtained from the court.
The family stressed that it was not seeking to influence the outcome but wanted a process capable of withstanding independent scrutiny.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, prompting investigations by the Lagos State Police Command into the circumstances surrounding his death.
His death also generated legal proceedings, including a coroner’s inquest, while the dispute over the paternity of his son, Liam, has remained a subject of public attention.
