INNER BAR 12/01/2024
Falana Chambers Accuses Mohbad’s Father of Estate Grab, Blackmail
Falana & Falana’s Chambers, led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has dismissed claims of threats made by Mr. Joseph Aloba, father of the late MohBad.
In response to Aloba’s accusations of a plot to kill him, the law firm clarified their role in pursuing justice for MohBad’s questionable death in September 2023.
According to a statement issued by the law firm’s Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq. on Thursday, they emphasized Aloba’s alleged interest in the late singer’s estate, asserting that his failure to follow due process indicated an attempt at blackmail.
The law firm recounted their involvement, including petitioning the Commissioner of Police and requesting a Coroner’s Inquest.
The statement also highlighted Aloba’s rush to bury MohBad without an autopsy, prompting the law firm to distance itself from what they term as opportunism.
It clarified that their focus was on legal proceedings to uncover the circumstances surrounding MohBad’s death.
Moreover, the law firm addressed Aloba’s request for a DNA test, citing legal procedures and emphasizing the need for a court order.
The statement read in part, “While the matter is still pending before the Coroner and Police investigation has not been concluded, Mr Joseph Aloba through his solicitors wrote a letter dated the 25th day of November 2023 to our office wherein he requested Mrs Wunmi Cynthia Aloba to hand over her son for DNA test to ascertain his paternity.
“While our client and our law firm are not opposed to conducting the test as stated in our reply, we drew attention to Section 57 of the Child’s Right Law of Lagos State which empowers only the Court to order the use of scientific tests including blood tests and DNA where paternity is in issue.
“Furthermore, we made it clear that under the provisions of the Child’s Right Law of Lagos State, the only person who has the locus standi to request a DNA test to confirm the paternity of a child is the father of a child.”
They also expressed disappointment in Aloba’s failure to follow due process and noted the delay in the Coroner’s proceedings due to pending autopsy reports.
Concluding, the law firm condemned Aloba’s allegations against Femi Falana and Mrs. Wunmi Cynthia Aloba, vowing to uphold Falana’s reputation and affirming their commitment to representing Mrs. Wunmi Cynthia Aloba in the pursuit of justice, regardless of Aloba’s attempts to inherit the late singer’s assets.