Mohbad Paternity Case Delayed as Two UK-Approved Labs Decline Embalmed Body Testing

Oladayo Ogungbe, the attorney representing the Aloba family in the ongoing DNA proceedings at the Magistrate Court of Ikorodu, Lagos State, related to the late musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, has confirmed that two out of the three laboratories sanctioned by the court to carry out the DNA tests on Mohbad and his son, Liam, have stated they do not perform post-mortem DNA analysis on embalmed bodies.

Ogungbe highlighted that since Mohbad's remains, who passed away in September 2023, had been embalmed, the DNA testing anticipated involves extracting genetic material from his tissue samples post-mortem.

On February 24, 2026, Magistrate B.A. Sonuga instructed that the paternity test be carried out in three labs mutually agreed upon by both parties and the court to ensure transparency and reliability. The collection and dispatch of samples were also mandated to be supervised by the Social Welfare Officer, in the presence of concerned parties and their counsel.

Court documents reveal that these labs were chosen through a collaborative process that included both parties and the court.

The laboratories selected consist of DNA Diagnostics Centre in Fairfield, Ohio (USA), proposed by the applicant; Alpha Bio Labs in Warrington, United Kingdom, suggested by the respondent (Mohbad's wife, Wunmi); and Advanced Histopathology Laboratory Limited in London, United Kingdom, which was independently selected by the court through the Welfare Officer.

Ogungbe further stated that prior to the sample collection process, representatives of the applicant (namely, Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba) made preliminary inquiries to confirm whether the identified laboratories had the necessary technical capabilities for conducting post-mortem DNA tests on embalmed remains.

He reported that feedback obtained from Alpha Bio Labs and Advanced Histopathology Laboratory Limited (the DNA centers presented by the respondent and the Welfare Officer) indicated that these labs do not perform such DNA analyses.

Additionally, the family’s counsel mentioned that an Affidavit of Facts, along with the correspondence from the laboratories, has been submitted in court to outline these recent developments for the sake of transparency.

He noted, “It would be inaccurate and misleading to allege that Mr. Joseph Aloba intentionally chose laboratories that lack the expertise required for tissue-based DNA testing.”

This development is expected to be a key focus in the upcoming hearing scheduled for April 2, amidst ongoing controversies related to the music star's death and associated matters still pending in court.