DNA samples have been collected from the remains of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, and his son, Liam, as the prolonged controversy surrounding the child’s paternity takes a significant turn.
The court supervised the exercise on Saturday, October 31, in Lagos, following an application by Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Aloba, for a DNA test to establish Liam’s paternity. The court approved the application and appointed a welfare officer to oversee the process, with October 31 fixed for the collection of the samples.
Samples were first collected from Mohbad’s remains at Mainland General Hospital, popularly known as the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), in Yaba, Lagos.
Following the collection, the samples were escorted under tight security from the hospital to the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, where Master Liam’s samples were also collected for further processing and forensic examination
It was gathered that the exercise was conducted under strict court supervision and with a heavy security presence amid concerns over possible public disturbances, following calls by the late singer’s father to his online supporters for support.
Mohbad’s mother, Abosede, his younger brother, Adura, and his wife, Omowunmi, were also present during the proceedings. The exercise reportedly became emotional during the identification of the singer’s remains.
The paternity controversy dates back to the period following Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023. His father, Joseph Aloba, has repeatedly questioned whether Liam is the biological son of the late singer and has called for a DNA test to establish the truth.