The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted permission to an NGO seeking a court order to compel the Inspector-General of Police to reopen investigations into the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Justice James Omotosho approved the request on Wednesday after hearing an ex-parte motion filed by Chief Tunde Falola on behalf of the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, listed the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command as respondents.
The NGO is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling the police to properly carry out their statutory duties under the Police Act 2020 by conducting a fresh and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death in September 2023.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho granted leave for the organisation to proceed with its application and also outlined steps the police should take in the renewed probe.
“The police are to invite all persons, who were last seen with the deceased particularly his wife, one Omowumi Cynthia Aloba and close associates, as well as the deceased’s father, one Joseph Aloba of Ikorodu Area, Lagos,” the judge said.
READ ALSO:
- Man Rescued After Jumping Into Lagos Lagoon
- 2027 Will Be My Last Presidential Bid — Atiku Declares
- Mohbad Death: Court Directs IG To Reopen Investigation
- Aregbesola Faults INEC Over ADC Convention Boycott, Says Commission Had No Legal Basis
- US Humanitarian Barbir Urges Nigerians To Protect Themselves If Govt Fails
He further authorised the police to take action where necessary based on findings from the investigation.
“The order is to also give the police permission to arrest and charge, where evidence so warrants, such other persons found to be directly or indirectly responsible for the death of the deceased,” he added.
The court also allowed substituted service of legal documents on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police through the Inspector-General’s Legal Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The matter was adjourned to May 4 for hearing.
Court filings deposed by Bright Bassey, Litigation Secretary at Tunde Falola & Co, stated that the NGO believes the initial police investigation was inadequate.
The affidavit noted that the organisation’s chairman, Mr Lukmon Fabiyi, had a personal connection to the late singer and was committed to pursuing justice.
It also highlighted that Mohbad’s death sparked widespread public outrage and protests across Nigeria and beyond.
While the police previously arrested a nurse linked to treatment administered before his death, the NGO argued that other individuals close to the singer were not thoroughly investigated.
The group further stated that it had petitioned the Presidency, which led to a directive for a fresh probe and transfer of the case to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja.
Despite follow-up letters requesting a deeper investigation, the NGO alleged that the police did not carry out a full reinvestigation, leading to the current court action.
The organisation maintained that its move was in the public interest and aimed at ensuring accountability in the case.