The family of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has demanded the disclosure of the identity of a United States laboratory expected to conduct a DNA examination to establish the paternity of the singer’s son, Liam.
The family has also requested the postponement of the examination, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Mainland General Hospital/IDH in Yaba, Lagos, until questions surrounding the testing arrangements are addressed.
The demand was contained in a statement signed by the head of the Aloba family, Samuel Aloba, on Thursday, October 29. The family expressed concerns about reports that biological tissue samples would be collected in Lagos and subsequently transported to an undisclosed laboratory in the United States for analysis.
At the centre of the disagreement is the identity of the foreign laboratory, its accreditation, the procedures for handling the samples and whether the proposed arrangement complies with a court order that the family says designated the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to conduct the examination.
The family insisted that it was not opposed to a DNA test or an effort to establish Liam’s biological paternity. Rather, it argued that the process must be transparent, scientifically reliable and properly documented to prevent future disputes over the credibility of the result.
The development represents another setback in the prolonged paternity dispute that emerged following the death of the singer in September 2023.
Why Mohbad’s Family Wants the US Laboratory Identified
In its statement, the Aloba family questioned why the identity of the laboratory expected to analyse the biological samples had not been disclosed to all relevant parties.
The family said it had been informed that the samples would be collected in Lagos before being sent to a laboratory in the United States for examination.
It consequently requested the full name and address of the proposed laboratory, as well as evidence of its accreditation and technical competence.
According to the family, knowing the institution responsible for the actual analysis is important because the reliability of a DNA examination depends not only on the scientific equipment used but also on the procedures followed throughout the process.
The family also questioned whether the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre would carry out the actual laboratory analysis or merely serve as a collection point before the samples were dispatched abroad.
It argued that the distinction was important because, according to its interpretation, a court order issued on May 5, 2026, had designated the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to conduct the examination.
The family maintained that if the designated centre intended to outsource the analysis to a foreign institution, the arrangement should be properly explained and, where necessary, presented to the court for clarification.
It warned against making a significant change to the testing arrangement without ensuring that all parties understood the procedure and that it complied with the relevant judicial directives.
Family Raises Concerns Over Sample Collection and Transportation
Beyond identifying the laboratory, the family wants detailed information about how the biological samples will be handled from the moment they are collected until the final results are produced.
It requested documentation explaining how the samples would be collected, labelled, preserved, stored and transported to the United States.
It also demanded a mechanism that would allow the parties involved to verify that the samples collected in Lagos were the same specimens eventually received and examined by the overseas laboratory.
This is particularly important in forensic testing because the chain of custody provides a documented record of how evidence is handled and transferred between individuals and institutions.
A properly maintained chain of custody helps establish the identity of a specimen, who handled it, where it was stored and whether it remained appropriately secured throughout the process.
In a disputed paternity examination, such documentation can become important if the result is later presented before a court.
The Aloba family said it wanted assurances that the entire procedure would be capable of independent verification, rather than relying solely on the eventual announcement of a DNA result.
The statement also addressed reports that the identity of the proposed foreign laboratory might only be disclosed to the court.
While acknowledging the need to protect legitimate confidential information, the family argued that confidentiality should not prevent meaningful transparency and accountability in a matter with significant personal and legal consequences.
Family Questions Compliance With May 5 Court Order
Another major issue raised by the family concerns the implementation of a court order it says was issued on May 5, 2026.
According to the Alobas, the order designated the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to conduct the paternity examination.
The family therefore wants clarification about whether the proposed transfer of samples to an American laboratory is consistent with the directive.
It argued that where a court has specified an institution to conduct a scientific examination, the parties involved are entitled to understand how that instruction will be implemented.
The family further maintained that no institution or party should unilaterally substitute a materially different arrangement without obtaining appropriate judicial clarification where necessary.
The dispute therefore goes beyond the scientific question of Liam’s paternity. It also involves the interpretation and implementation of the court’s instructions.
However, the family’s position on the court order should be distinguished from an independent judicial finding that the proposed overseas testing arrangement violates the order. The family is requesting clarification of that issue.
Concerns Over Previous Post-Mortem Samples
The family also connected its latest demands to questions it had previously raised about the handling of biological samples during the post-mortem examination conducted following Mohbad’s death.
In its statement, the Alobas questioned aspects of the earlier forensic process, including the role of the pathologist involved in collecting samples during the coroner’s proceedings.
The family further claimed that information obtained through its enquiries suggested that the laboratory to which samples from the earlier examination were reportedly sent had not received any specimen registered in the name of Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba.
This assertion has not been established as a judicial finding and should be understood as the family’s account of information it says it received.
The family did not present its claims as proof that any individual or institution deliberately mishandled the earlier samples. Instead, it argued that the outstanding questions made transparency in the proposed DNA examination particularly important.
It said the new process should be supported by clear documentation so that similar questions would not arise after the results were released.
Mohbad’s Death and the Beginning of the Paternity Dispute
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27.
His death generated widespread public attention, with fans, family members and other Nigerians demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Following his death, the Lagos State Police Command established a 13-member special investigation team to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
His body was subsequently exhumed for a post-mortem examination as part of the investigation.
A coroner’s inquest was also conducted at the Magistrates’ Court in Ikorodu, Lagos, to examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
During the period following his passing, questions emerged about the paternity of Liam, the child born to Mohbad and his widow, Omowunmi Aloba.
The singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, became publicly involved in the dispute and called for a DNA examination to establish the child’s biological relationship with the late musician.
The disagreement subsequently became part of the wider legal and family issues surrounding Mohbad’s death.
Although the paternity question has attracted considerable public attention, it remains a matter to be resolved through appropriate scientific examination and legal procedures rather than social media allegations.
Why the DNA Test Matters to the Family
A DNA paternity examination is a scientific procedure used to determine whether a man is the biological father of a child by comparing genetic information.
In this case, the proposed examination is intended to establish whether Liam is biologically related to Mohbad.
The result could have important personal and legal implications for the family, particularly in matters relating to identity, family relationships, inheritance and any proceedings in which biological paternity becomes relevant.
However, a reliable result depends on the integrity of the samples and the competence of the laboratory conducting the analysis.
The family has therefore argued that the testing procedure should be documented in a manner that allows the result to withstand independent scientific and judicial scrutiny.
It also wants all relevant parties and their legal representatives to receive adequate notice of the process.
The family said it did not intend to predetermine the outcome or dictate what the scientific result should be. Its position, according to the statement, is that the examination must be credible regardless of what it eventually establishes.
Family Insists It Is Not Trying to Stop the DNA Test
Amid the renewed controversy, the Aloba family sought to clarify that its demand for postponement should not be interpreted as opposition to resolving the paternity dispute.
It maintained that it supports a scientifically valid examination capable of establishing the truth.
The family said its concerns were directed at the arrangements surrounding the proposed test, particularly the identity of the laboratory, the accreditation of the institution and the procedures for maintaining the integrity of the samples.
It also expressed concern about possible interference, contamination, substitution or mishandling if appropriate safeguards were not established.
However, the family specifically clarified that it was not alleging that the proposed examination had already been manipulated or compromised.
Its argument is that the relevant safeguards should be established before the test begins, rather than waiting until after the result has been announced.
The family consequently requested that the examination be postponed until the outstanding questions were answered, all parties received adequate notice and further directions were obtained from the court where necessary.
The immediate issue is whether the authorities responsible for organising the examination will address the family’s requests before the scheduled October 31 date.
The family wants the proposed US laboratory identified, its accreditation and technical competence established, and the sample-handling arrangements clearly explained.
It also wants clarification of the relationship between the proposed foreign analysis and the May 5, 2026 court order that it says designated the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre.
Whether the examination will proceed as scheduled, be postponed or be subject to additional court directions remains a key question.
The relevant institutions and other parties involved will also need to address the concerns if the process is to produce a result that can be accepted and relied upon.
For Mohbad’s family, the central issue is not simply obtaining a DNA result but ensuring that the procedure used to obtain it is beyond reasonable procedural doubt.
The family of late singer Mohbad has demanded the disclosure of the United States laboratory expected to conduct the DNA examination intended to establish whether Liam is the singer’s biological son.
Led by family head Samuel Aloba, the relatives have requested the postponement of the examination scheduled for October 31, 2026, at Mainland General Hospital/IDH in Yaba, Lagos, pending clarification of concerns about laboratory accreditation, sample transportation, chain of custody and compliance with a court order.
Although the family has insisted that it supports a credible DNA examination, it wants the entire process to be transparent and independently verifiable.
The latest development adds another chapter to the prolonged dispute surrounding Mohbad’s death and the paternity of his son.
Ultimately, the resolution of the matter will depend on a properly conducted scientific examination, clear documentation and compliance with the relevant judicial process.
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