By Abigail David
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled September 29, 2026, for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Inspector-General of Police to reopen investigations into the death of late singer, Mohbad.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after hearing arguments in the case filed by the Break the Silence Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026, lists the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, as respondents. None of the respondents was represented in court during Thursday’s proceedings.
Counsel to the foundation, Tunde Falola, adopted all processes filed on behalf of the plaintiff and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought, including an order compelling the police to conduct a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The court also heard an application by Samson Obaboye, who sought to be joined in the matter as an interested party. Obaboye said he supported calls for transparency, accountability and justice and wished to present relevant facts before the court.
Justice Omotosho, however, dismissed the application, ruling that the applicant failed to establish sufficient legal interest in the case to justify his inclusion in the proceedings.
The court had earlier granted leave to the foundation to initiate the action through a judicial review and an order of mandamus seeking to compel police authorities to reopen the investigation.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Falola said the foundation was dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier police investigation, arguing that several critical leads and aspects of the case were not thoroughly examined.
According to him, the organisation believes the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death remain unresolved and warrant further investigation in the interest of justice.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, sparking widespread public concern and calls for accountability. His body was exhumed nine days later for an autopsy, but questions surrounding the cause of his death have persisted.
In February 2025, a Lagos Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, discharged and acquitted Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry and others after legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions found no evidence linking them to the singer’s death.
