The bitter family feud between the late Nigerian musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, and his father, Joseph Aloba, has taken a dramatic turn as the widow, Omowunmi, accuses her late husband’s father of deliberately delaying a paternity test meant to resolve the custody dispute over their son, Liam.
In an official letter dated January 9, 2025, Omowunmi’s legal team, Salawu Akingbolu Chambers, claims that Joseph Aloba has been obstructing the process by rejecting the medical facilities she suggested for the crucial DNA test. The test, which has become the focal point of a long-running legal battle, aims to clear doubts about the paternity of Mohbad’s son, who is at the center of a dispute that has gripped the public’s attention for months.
The case first came to light when the Magistrates Court in Ikorodu, Lagos, ordered both parties to explore alternative dispute resolution methods while instructing that the DNA test be carried out at a mutually agreed-upon facility under proper supervision. This court decision came after Omowunmi raised concerns about the potential for paternity confusion and sought clarity on her son’s biological father.
According to the letter from Omowunmi’s lawyers, while she had proposed using medical facilities like Lagoon Hospitals and UCH Ibadan, her father-in-law reportedly rejected both locations, insisting that neither was suitable for the test. In a bid to move things forward, Omowunmi suggested two alternative hospitals, Eko Hospital and Reddington Hospital. However, she claims that Joseph Aloba failed to respond to her new suggestions, further exacerbating the situation.
“We were left with no choice but to continue to seek the truth for the sake of our son, but we are frustrated by the constant delays,” Omowunmi said in a statement. “It is clear that some parties are actively hindering the process, and we are ready to proceed with the DNA test independently if necessary.”
As the dispute dragged on, Omowunmi’s legal team expressed their anger over what they considered false claims made by Joseph Aloba’s legal representatives. In a pointed response to the accusations, Omowunmi’s lawyers denounced statements made on social media by Mr. Taiwo Odumosu, a lawyer previously associated with Joseph Aloba, who claimed that Omowunmi had been unwilling to cooperate with the process.
“To our utter surprise, instead of responding to our request, we saw Mr. Taiwo Odumosu, Counsel to the Applicant, making misleading statements on social media, suggesting that we are unwilling to proceed with the DNA test,” the letter read. “We denounce these misrepresentations and demand an apology for the false accusations.”
The social media statements, which Omowunmi’s legal team described as “unhealthy” and “unjust,” further intensified tensions between the parties. Omowunmi specifically criticized Aloba’s public comments that painted her son, Liam, in a negative light, labeling him a “bastard.”
“Our son deserves respect,” Omowunmi stated, “and we will take this matter to court if necessary to defend his honor. This defamatory rhetoric must stop.”
Joseph Aloba’s legal team, led by Hillceetee Partners, responded to the allegations with a statement issued on January 11, 2025. In the statement, they denied the claims made by Omowunmi’s lawyers regarding misrepresentation on social media, insisting that their client’s representative, Mr. Taiwo Odumosu, had never suggested that Omowunmi was unwilling to participate in the DNA test.
“Mr. Odumosu clarified that at no point did he say your client was ‘not ready for the DNA test,’” the letter stated. “Instead, he had only noted that the hospitals had not yet confirmed their readiness to carry out the test. Any implication to the contrary was a misunderstanding, and we regret that this was misinterpreted.”
The letter went on to clarify that Mr. Odumosu holds the highest regard for Omowunmi’s legal team and would not intentionally malign their professionalism. However, the legal representatives for Joseph Aloba also took the significant step of announcing their withdrawal from representing him in the ongoing legal battle.
“In light of recent developments, we have decided to withdraw from representing Mr. Joseph Aloba in this matter,” the letter concluded. “We wish to make it clear that this decision was made in the best interest of all parties involved.”
The ongoing legal battle between Omowunmi and Joseph Aloba has sparked public interest, with many Nigerians following the case closely, given the prominence of the late Mohbad and the highly emotional nature of the dispute.
Omowunmi’s legal team has stated that they will not relent in their efforts to ensure that justice is served. They have reiterated their commitment to securing a definitive resolution for Liam, who has been caught in the middle of this bitter family dispute.
“It is important for the truth to come out, not just for us, but for Liam’s sake,” Omowunmi said. “This process has already gone on long enough. We hope that this matter can be resolved quickly, so that Liam can finally have clarity and peace of mind.”
As the drama continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the legal system will address the tensions between the Aloba family, and whether a final resolution can be reached. Omowunmi has made it clear, however, that she is determined to push forward, even if that means proceeding with the DNA test on her own.
