NIGERIA: Naira Marley Breaks Silence on Mohbad’s Death in Two-Hour Documentary

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Two years after the tragic death of fast-rising singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, his former label boss, Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley), has released a two-hour documentary detailing his side of the story.

In the documentary, which premiered on Wednesday, the Marlian Records founder denied longstanding allegations that he bullied Mohbad or played any role in his death.

Naira Marley said in the video, stressing that their working relationship was built on transparency and shared profits: “I’ve never sent anybody to bully him. I didn’t kill Mohbad.”

Mohbad, who died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, was signed to Marlian Music between 2019 and 2022 before falling out with the label. His death sparked widespread protests, conspiracy theories, and a government inquest.

Earlier this year, a Lagos Magistrate’s Court cleared Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry, and two others of involvement in the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s passing. However, a Coroner’s Court later found that the auxiliary nurse who treated the singer acted with “gross negligence.”

In the new documentary, Marley offered a timeline of events, including Mohbad’s struggles with substance use, health issues, and repeated conflicts with management. He claimed to have intervened when Mohbad experimented with a substance known as “Ice,” and even paid for medical checks and medications.

He further alleged that Mohbad once attempted suicide in 2022, a development which, according to him, prompted discussions with the singer’s parents about seeking professional help.

The documentary also addressed the NDLEA raid of the Marlian house in February 2022, an episode Marley said left Mohbad traumatised and triggered an emotional outburst in which the late singer publicly accused him of threats to his life.

Despite the fallout, Marley insisted financial dealings with Mohbad were straightforward. He revealed that they operated a 50-50 split on earnings, though he accused the late artist of withdrawing $72,000 in royalties shortly before officially seeking to exit Marlian Music in October 2022.

“I expected that those who were with him 24 to 48 hours before his death should have been questioned, not me,” Marley said, maintaining his innocence.

The musician also criticised the police for detaining him for two months when he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to clear his name. He added that Mohbad’s royalties remain untouched and would be released to his family through their appointed representatives.