Mohbad's controversial death in September 2023 sent shockwaves through Nigeria, quickly igniting a fierce wave of public outrage and ushering in a brutal era of cancel culture, with British-Nigerian singer and Marlian Records founder, Azeez "Naira Marley" Fashola, at its epicenter. For almost three years following the unresolved circumstances of his signee Ilerioluwa "Aloba" Mohbad's passing, Naira Marley maintained his silence amidst allegations, police investigations, and intense public scrutiny. This changed with the release of a viral documentary, where Marley finally presented his side of the story, making several allegations and offering insights into Mohbad's life and their contentious relationship, while simultaneously fueling a national debate on the nature and consequences of Nigerian cancel culture.

In his detailed documentary, Naira Marley vehemently denied any involvement in Mohbad's death or bullying, recounting the initial stages of their professional relationship. He recalled announcing Mohbad at Marlian Fest in December 2019, seeing him as a future star. Marley then detailed his discovery on June 7, 2020, that Mohbad was using "Ice," which he later identified as Crack. He claimed Mohbad admitted starting the drug with a "crackhead friend" and, despite his concern, Marley offered advice rather than anger, believing Mohbad would overcome it due to stress.

Marley also shed light on financial disputes, alleging that in November 2020, Mohbad used a bank account under the name Adesanya Justina Olajumoke, initially claiming it was his, then his mother's, before it was revealed to be linked to Mohbad's wife, Wunmi's family. Marley asserted he ceased payments into that account until Mohbad began using his own. The narrative further delved into the February 2022 NDLEA raid on Marlian House, during which Mohbad was reportedly taken after a scuffle and later went live under duress, accusing Marley, Wunmi, and Zinoleesky of endangering his life. Despite this, Marley claimed to have paid Mohbad's hospital bills and CT scans upon his return to Nigeria, and Mohbad remained with Marlian Music, releasing songs like 'Ronaldo' and 'Peace'.

Post-NDLEA incident, Mohbad moved out of Marlian House but maintained contact with Marley, expressing health concerns. Marley recounted efforts to get Mohbad help, including scans and hospital visits. A more alarming revelation was Mohbad's alleged suicide attempt in March 2022, while Marley was in Puerto Rico. Marley described receiving calls about Mohbad trying to jump from a window and how he spoke to Mohbad, urging him not to take his life and offering support. Following this, Mohbad reportedly apologized, and Marley arranged for Zinoleesky, Mohbad's father, and others to pick him up and keep him company, leading to a period of apparent reconciliation, including Mohbad's appearance and performance at Marlian Day in May 2022.

The documentary also touched on a managerial dispute that occurred in October 2022. Marley explained that Mohbad had personally chosen Tunde as his manager. However, a quarrel ensued, culminating in Mohbad insulting Tunde and confronting him while intoxicated at the studio, leading to a fight that Marley claimed he intervened to stop. Shortly after, tweets surfaced accusing Marlian Records of attacking Mohbad, which Marley suspected were not typed by Mohbad himself, implying manipulation. This conflict ultimately led to Mohbad's lawyer sending a contract termination letter on October 7, 2022. Marley stated he had nothing to hide, provided payment logs, and, despite Mohbad withdrawing $72,000 from a DSP partner, chose not to pursue the matter, letting him go. Crucially, Marley insisted he was not in Nigeria when Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, stating he was in Europe with Zinoleesky and heard of the death through Instablog reports. He also confirmed that Mohbad's royalties remain untouched and would be handed over as appointed by court or family.

These revelations by Naira Marley have reignited discussions about the ruthlessness of Nigerian cancel culture, a phenomenon characterized by its speed, finality, and unforgiving nature. Mohbad's death rapidly transformed public sentiment against Naira Marley, with social media becoming an instant courtroom where a mob verdict of "guilty" was swiftly delivered. Radio stations banned his songs, fans unfollowed him, and a digital manhunt ensued, fueled by leaked videos and voice notes. This swift condemnation, often bypassing formal investigations, highlights the magnified impact of cancel culture in Nigeria, driven by a deep distrust in institutions and a hunger for "sharp, sharp" justice, often based on irrational and emotional decisions amplified by gossip blogs and WhatsApp groups.

The dangers of such a culture are profound, particularly in a society with weak judiciary and pervasive distrust of the system. It enables instant verdicts that can destroy careers before facts are established, as seen in Marley's case. Cancel culture in Nigeria also thrives on moral signaling, where individuals and entities perform righteousness publicly, sometimes while perpetuating similar injustices. Mohbad's tragedy became a canvas for broader societal frustrations, with many using the "Justice for Mohbad" movement" to highlight issues like record label exploitation and weak copyright laws, rather than focusing solely on the individual blame.

To navigate this complex landscape, a more literate and discerning populace is crucial, one that demands facts over gossip and understands that outrage, while powerful, does not substitute for real justice or accountability. The media, as the fourth estate, bears significant responsibility to report with balance, nuance, and verification, avoiding amplification of mob verdicts. Naira Marley's eventual decision to speak out underscores that silence can wreck a brand, but also that speaking out can split public opinion, offering lessons on how cancel culture punishes quickly but rarely brings closure. Finally, the entertainment industry itself must establish robust structures for accountability, including unions, mediation boards, and welfare protections, to address systemic problems that fuel public anger. Artists, in turn, must crisis-proof their brands, be mindful of associations, and respond with transparency and empathy, understanding that in a cancel-prone industry, a misstep or silence can be fatal to a career.