Nigerian music star, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has denied having any hand in the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.
In a new video released on YouTube in the early hours of Wednesday, Marley addressed lingering speculations surrounding the late singer’s death, insisting that he neither bullied nor harmed him.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, sparking nationwide outrage and protests. Earlier this year, a Magistrate’s Court in Yaba, Lagos, cleared Naira Marley, music promoter Samson “Sam Larry” Balogun, Primeboy (Ibrahim Owodunni) and Mohbad’s former manager, Babatunde Opere, of complicity in the singer’s death. The court blamed gross professional negligence on the part of auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who administered an injection on Mohbad without a doctor’s prescription.
In his latest video, Marley recounted his relationship with the late singer, claiming he had always tried to help him overcome personal struggles, including drug use and mental health issues.
“I wasn’t angry when I found out Mohbad was using Ice. I spoke to him, advised him and encouraged him to stop. I never forced him to do anything,” he said.
The ‘Soapy’ crooner also dismissed claims that Mohbad was afraid to seek medical care, displaying a WhatsApp chat showing the late artiste visited a hospital in 2020.
On allegations that Mohbad accused him of threats to life, Marley attributed them to a panic attack the singer suffered after an NDLEA raid in February 2022. According to him, Mohbad made several accusations against friends, colleagues and even family members while in a vulnerable state.
He further alleged that Mohbad once attempted suicide in March 2022, prompting him and the singer’s parents to consider medical help.
Marley also spoke on Mohbad’s decision to leave Marlian Music in October 2022. He said the singer’s lawyer had written formally to terminate his contract, after which Mohbad allegedly withdrew $72,000 from a digital streaming partner without authorization. “We had to hold some of his royalty payments until the money was returned,” he said.
On Mohbad’s death, Marley maintained that he was abroad at the time and had no contact with him in the period leading to the tragedy. He faulted the police for detaining him for two months in Lagos despite what he described as his willingness to cooperate with investigations.
“I have never sent anyone to bully him,” Marley stressed. “Those who were with him 24 to 48 hours before his death should have been the ones investigated.”
He added that Marlian Music was ready to release Mohbad’s royalties to his family or any individual legally recognized to receive them.
