A Magistrate Court in Ikeja, Lagos has issued a restraining order against five individuals, including Baba Mohbad, actress Bukky Jesse, actor Yomi Fabiyi, media personality Larry Omodia, and Adewale Mariam, barring them from making any public statements or online commentary about Omowunmi Aloba, the widow of the late singer Mohbad, and their son, Liam.
The court ruled that these individuals are prohibited from issuing statements, joining online debates, or inciting public opinion regarding Wunmi and her child for a period of one year. The restraining order also forbids any form of harassment, bullying, or threats directed at the mother and son, either in person or on social media.
The restraining order, handed down in late September, comes amid ongoing family tensions and public controversy following the death of rising music star Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, in 2023. Since his passing, the internet has been flooded with conspiracy theories, accusations, and heated commentary surrounding his family, his widow, and the paternity of their son.
The court stated that the emotional well-being and privacy of Omowunmi and Liam must be protected from continued public harassment and negative attention. The judge emphasized that online bullying and defamatory remarks have worsened the family’s trauma and that legal steps were necessary to prevent further damage.
“This court sees the need to protect the dignity and emotional stability of the late singer’s immediate family, particularly his young child,” the ruling stated.
The restraining order was sought due to persistent social media attacks, many of which have questioned Wunmi’s relationship with Mohbad and cast doubt on her son’s paternity—claims which have not been backed by any legal proof but have been repeatedly amplified online.
The court noted that these public statements had gone beyond freedom of speech and were now causing emotional distress and potential threats to safety. It held that while individuals are entitled to opinions, those opinions cannot infringe on another person’s rights or be used to incite harassment.
The one-year restriction is aimed at allowing the family space to grieve, heal, and live free from public interference, especially as investigations into Mohbad’s death and family disputes continue.
The ruling has sparked strong reactions across Nigeria, particularly on social media. While many applauded the decision as a step in the right direction to curb cyberbullying, others voiced concerns over freedom of expression and whether courts should control online conversations.
Supporters argue that protecting vulnerable individuals—especially a grieving widow and her child—should take priority over unregulated public commentary, especially when such comments border on defamation or harassment.
“Freedom of speech is not freedom to destroy someone’s mental health,” one X (formerly Twitter) user commented.
However, some critics questioned the timing and intent behind the order, suggesting it may be an attempt to silence critics rather than seek justice.
“The public deserves to ask questions when things don’t add up,” another user said. “Silencing voices doesn’t solve the mystery around Mohbad’s death.”
With the court order in place, any violation by the named individuals could lead to contempt of court charges, possible fines, or jail time. Legal experts say this case could set a precedent for how Nigerian courts handle online defamation, cyberbullying, and digital harassment in high-profile cases.
The ruling also adds a new legal layer to the ongoing investigations into Mohbad’s death, which has been under public and police scrutiny since 2023.
For now, Omowunmi and Liam are legally protected from further public targeting by the five individuals until at least late 2026—a move many say is overdue in Nigeria’s fast-moving and often unregulated digital space.
