The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit that sought to compel the police to reopen investigations into the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Justice James Omotosho held that the applicant, the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, lacked the legal right to bring the action. He described the suit as without merit and devoid of credible evidence.
The NGO had sued the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. The respondents did not appear in the matter. The suit was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, in Lagos State. The court had earlier granted the foundation leave, through an ex-parte application, to seek an order of mandamus compelling a fresh investigation. The application, prepared by Chief Tunde Falola, was dated February 23 and filed the following day.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho noted that the foundation claimed the police had previously investigated the death but failed to do so thoroughly, specifically that some relatives of the deceased were not questioned. He observed, however, that the group did not attach the earlier investigation report.
Without that report, the judge said, there was nothing to show whether the persons mentioned, including the late singer’s wife and father, had been investigated or not. He described the claim as speculative and based on mere assertion without proof.
“This suit is therefore without credible evidence and thus without merit,” the judge stated. He added that lawyers are expected to know elementary principles of law and should not flood the courts with frivolous cases that waste judicial time reserved for serious matters.
Justice Omotosho also criticised the practice of lawyers granting interviews or posting on social media while a case remains pending. He said such conduct creates negative public impressions and can influence perceptions of evidence before the court. He warned that the court would not hesitate to use its contempt powers if the order was flouted.
In the final analysis, the judge dismissed the suit for lack of locus standi and for being without merit.
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