The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a bid by an NGO to compel the police to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
.Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, held that the applicant lacked the legal right to institute the suit and failed to provide credible evidence to support its claims.
The judge said the court would not rely on speculation without concrete proof, adding that the suit lacked merit.
“This suit is therefore without credible evidence and thus without merit.
“I must say here that lawyers are bound to know the elementary principle of law and not flood the courts with frivolous and baseless cases which takes the precious time of the court which should be reserved for serious matters,” he said.
An NGO, Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2026.
The Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, were listed as the first to third respondents but did not appear in the matter.
The court had earlier granted the NGO leave to commence the action through an ex-parte application seeking judicial review and an order of mandamus compelling the police authorities to conduct a fresh investigation into the singer’s death.
In an application dated February 23 and filed on February 24 by Chief Tunde Falola, the group sought three reliefs.
Delivering judgment, Omotosho said the NGO claimed that the police had earlier investigated the matter but failed to conduct a thorough probe because some relatives of the deceased were not investigated.
He, however, noted that the applicant failed to attach the first investigation report to establish whether the persons mentioned, including the deceased’s wife and father, were investigated.
“The applicant did not attach the investigation report of the first investigation to conclude that those persons it mentioned such as the wife and the father of the deceased were indeed not investigated.
“Without this investigation report, there is nothing to show that the said persons were investigated or not.
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“This omission by the applicant makes their claim speculative and full of conjectures.
“The applicant cannot hope to succeed on this particular issue on mere assertion without proof.
“Without any proof, the assertion remains unproven and cannot ground the grant of any relief,” he said.
The judge also criticised lawyers for granting interviews while a case was pending in court.
He said lawyers should direct their grievances and expressions to the courts and their chambers rather than social media and the press.
“Granting interviews or making posts on social media while a matter is pending give some negative impression to the public and can sway public perception regarding exhibits and evidence in court,” Omotosho said.
He described interviews granted by lawyers while a suit was pending as misconduct and warned legal practitioners against such conduct.
The judge further warned that the court could invoke its contempt powers against any lawyer who flouted its order by granting interviews or making social media posts about the case.
“In final analysis, the suit of the applicant fails for lack of locus standi and for being without merit.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby dismissed,” Omotosho declared.
NAN
