Omowunmi Aloba, the widow of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad, has confirmed her willingness to undergo a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test to confirm the paternity of their son, Liam.
In a statement on Monday, Omowunmi, popularly called Wunmi, emphasised that her decision was made voluntarily and without external pressure.
Wunmi clarified that contrary to rumours circulating on social media, she was not coerced by Mohbad’s family or online critics into agreeing to the test.
She said, “I willingly decided to conduct the DNA test on my son, Liam. Let everybody know that I was not forced into agreeing to do the test as they are circulating on blogs and social media. I did not agree to do it before because they wanted to force me to do it.”
She further explained that her initial reluctance was based on the manner in which the test was being demanded, but said she had always been open to the process under proper conditions.
“In fact, it was not as if I was not ready to do it, but I told them (the family) the condition under which I can present my son for the DNA test,” Wunmi added.
Her legal team, led by Monisola Odumosu, also released a statement confirming her decision, which followed a settlement agreement between both parties.
According to Odumosu, “Emmanuel Oroko informed the court that both parties had settled outside the court and are ready to move the terms of the settlement already filed and served on Wunmi Aloba’s lawyers.”
The terms of the settlement were then confirmed by Kabir Akingbolu, the lawyer representing Mohbad’s father, Mr. Joseph Aloba, and adopted by the court as its judgment.
The agreement specified that the DNA test will be conducted at two recognised and accredited government or private medical facilities either within Lagos State or, if agreed upon, outside the state. Mr. Aloba, the late singer’s father, agreed to bear all costs associated with the test, including sample collection and any legal or administrative fees.
Odumosu stated, “In the terms filed before the court, the respondent, Wunmi Aloba, consented to submit herself and her son, (Master Liam Aloba), for the conduct of a DNA test at two recognised and accredited government or private medical facilities within Lagos State or another agreeable location outside the state.”
The court has also appointed officers to supervise the process to ensure the reliability and integrity of the DNA test, which will determine the paternity of Liam Aloba.
This development came after Mohbad’s father filed a lawsuit requesting a DNA test for his grandson to confirm his biological relationship to the late artist.