A Magistrate Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos has granted an order allowing substituted service on Wunmi, the wife of late singer Mohbad, for a pending application to conduct a DNA test on their child.
The court permitted service by posting the notice at Wunmi’s last known address after failed attempts to serve her personally.
This development follows an application filed by the legal team of Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, contesting the paternity of baby Liam.
The family is seeking a court order to compel Wunmi to present herself and the child for a DNA test at a recognized Lagos laboratory.
According to Monisola Odumosu, a member of the Aloba family’s legal team, the substituted service order was necessitated after the court sheriff made two unsuccessful attempts to serve Wunmi the court process in person.
Background
The late Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, passed away on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances at age 27.
His death led to the exhumation of his body for an autopsy, while the Lagos State Police Command had inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the incident.
Amid the investigations, Wunmi had claimed in a viral video that she was ready for a DNA test but had not made herself available for service of the court papers. The matter was subsequently adjourned to next month for a report on the service.
Wunmi’s counsel, Taiwo Olawanle, has denied knowledge of the substituted service order, stating, “We don’t have the court order. If we have an order, we will advise her to adhere to it. But we are not aware of any order.”
Court’s Decision
The Chief Magistrate granted the order sought by the Aloba family, allowing them to serve Wunmi the originating motion and other processes in the suit by posting them at her last known address.
This substituted service is deemed valid and sufficient notice of the pending DNA test application.