The family of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has called for the suspension of a DNA test scheduled for Saturday, insisting that the identity and credentials of the United States laboratory expected to analyse the samples must be disclosed.
The family also raised concerns about the transparency of the exercise, which is intended to establish the paternity of Liam, the late singer’s son, and requested further clarification on how the procedure would comply with an existing court order.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the family head, Samuel Aloba, the family questioned the decision to collect biological samples at the Mainland General Hospital/IDH, Yaba, Lagos, before allegedly forwarding them to an unnamed laboratory in the US for analysis.
It argued that the arrangement required clarification, particularly over the role of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, which the family said was designated by a court order dated May 5, 2026.
The family questioned whether the Lagos facility would carry out the actual DNA examination or simply collect and send the specimens abroad, warning that any significant departure from the court's directive should be brought before the court for clarification.
It also demanded the foreign laboratory's full name and address, proof of accreditation, details of its testing procedures and documentation explaining how the samples would be collected, labelled, preserved and transported.
The family further insisted on a reliable system for tracking the specimens from the point of collection in Lagos to their receipt and examination overseas, saying the identity of the laboratory should not be concealed in a matter with serious legal and personal implications.
It expressed fears that inadequate safeguards could expose the exercise to possible interference or mishandling, although it stressed that it was not alleging that the proposed test had already been compromised.
The family also revisited concerns surrounding the handling of biological specimens during the post-mortem examination conducted after Mohbad's death. It claimed that enquiries raised questions about whether a laboratory previously identified as the destination for some samples had actually received them.
However, it clarified that the claims reflected information available to the family and were not established findings of wrongdoing against any individual or institution.
While reaffirming its support for a credible DNA examination to settle the paternity controversy, the family urged the relevant authorities to address its reservations, ensure compliance with forensic standards and obtain further judicial directions where necessary.
It consequently asked that Saturday's exercise be rescheduled until the outstanding issues were resolved and all parties, including their lawyers, were given adequate notice.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His death prompted the Lagos State Police Command to establish a 13-member special investigation team to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The paternity dispute subsequently became part of the legal proceedings initiated by the singer's family, with his father seeking a DNA examination to establish whether Liam was Mohbad's biological son.
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