Naira Marley Breaks Silence: Star Denies Role in Mohbad's Tragic Death
Musician Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley and founder of Marlian Records, has publicly addressed the controversial death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, or Mohbad. Mohbad tragically passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. Months after being acquitted by a Magistrate's Court in Yaba, Lagos, Naira Marley released a YouTube documentary titled "My Side of the Story" to share his account and insights into the circumstances surrounding the singer's demise.
In February, the Yaba Magistrate's Court cleared Naira Marley, music promoter Samson Balogun (Sam Larry), Ibrahim Owodunni (Primeboy), and Mohbad's former manager Babatunde Opere of blame. However, in July, the Coroner's Court in Ikorodu recommended the criminal prosecution of Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad before his death. Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi concluded that the nurse acted with gross negligence by administering an injection without a doctor's prescription, deeming her actions "unlawful and professionally negligent," while ruling out foul play or homicide in the case.
Naira Marley recounted Mohbad's entry into Marlian Music in 2019, alongside Zinoleesky, emphasizing a transparent 50/50 business model for their earnings. He revealed that he first learned of Mohbad's substance abuse, specifically "Ice" (crack), on June 7, 2020. Despite this, he claimed he was not angry and only offered advice, with Mohbad attributing his use to stress and promising to stop. Marley also addressed a dispute regarding a bank account, noting that Mohbad initially used an account linked to his wife Wunmi's family for payments before eventually using his own.
Recalling the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raid on Marlian House on February 24, 2022, Naira Marley stated he was in Sweden. He explained that Mohbad was taken along with Zinoleesky and Subomi after a physical altercation with officers. Shortly after his release, Mohbad went live on Instagram under duress, accusing Naira Marley and others, notably stating, "If I die, everybody na Marlian Music, Naira Marley kill me." Despite this incident, Mohbad remained with Marlian Music, and Naira Marley claimed to have paid for his health checks and medications, attempting to get him help.
After the NDLEA incident, Mohbad stopped residing permanently at Marlian House but maintained contact. Naira Marley alleged that on March 27, 2022, Mohbad attempted suicide by trying to jump from a window and searching for a deadly insecticide, Sniper. Marley, who was in Puerto Rico at the time, said he intervened by phone, offering support and urging Mohbad not to harm himself. He arranged for Mohbad to be picked up by Zinoleesky and others, and even spoke with Mohbad's parents about the singer's state.
Naira Marley stated that Mohbad attended the Marlian Day celebration and album listening party in May 2022, performing a featured song, indicating a period of reconciliation despite past issues. However, a significant fallout occurred on October 4, 2022, concerning Mohbad's self-chosen manager, Tunde. Naira Marley claimed Mohbad, while intoxicated, fought with Tunde at the studio. Shortly after, tweets appeared on Mohbad's account accusing Naira Marley, which he suspected were fabricated by someone else who had access to Mohbad's phone.
On October 7, 2022, Mohbad's lawyer sent a letter to Marlian Music requesting contract termination and payment logs. Naira Marley asserted he provided full transparency regarding financial transactions, even though Mohbad had allegedly withdrawn $72,000 from a DSP partner, which Marley chose not to pursue, letting him go. The last time Naira Marley saw Mohbad was on the day of the fight with his manager, October 4, 2022.
On September 12, 2023, the day Mohbad died, Naira Marley stated he was in Amsterdam and Montenegro. He initially dismissed the news as a rumor but was quickly targeted by public accusations, with old videos resurfacing. Naira Marley criticized the police for detaining him for two months in Panti, Yaba, Lagos, upon his return to Nigeria to clear his name. He maintained that he never sent anyone to bully Mohbad and believed Sam Larry's denial of involvement. He concluded by affirming that Mohbad's royalties remain untouched and Marlian Music is ready to hand them over to whoever the family or court designates. Naira Marley's documentary also presented fresh allegations against Mohbad's wife, Wunmi, his fellow signee Zinoleesky, and an unnamed friend, whom he accused of introducing Mohbad to hard drugs, thereby further complicating the unresolved controversy surrounding the late singer's death.
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