Entertainment
Late Mohbad: Naira Marley testifies in Court, denies involvement
Popular Nigerian singer, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, known as Naira Marley, has testified before an Ikorodu Magistrate Court as part of the ongoing Coroner’s inquest into the death of fellow artist, Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.
Appearing virtually on Friday, Marley refuted allegations linking him to the singer’s demise, stating he had no hand in Mohbad’s death. He explained to Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi that Mohbad had been signed to his label, Marlian Records, for a four-album deal but left due to persistent conflicts with his manager, Opere Babatunde.
Dismissing claims of harassment or threats against the late singer, Marley referenced a police report that had cleared him of any wrongdoing. He also responded to a widely circulated video where Mohbad suggested that he and his team should be held responsible if anything happened to him, stating that Mohbad and his family later apologized, attributing the statement to the influence of drugs.
The musician maintained that he had not seen Mohbad for a year before his death and was outside the country at the time of the incident.
However, a legal representative of the late singer, Oluwasanmi Falade, disputed Marley’s claims, confirming that there was indeed a conflict between Mohbad and Marlian Records over unpaid royalties. He revealed that multiple legal letters had been sent to the label regarding the dispute but were ignored.
Falade also recounted that Mohbad had reported an attack by music promoter Sam Larry to the police, but efforts to arrest the promoter were unsuccessful.
Following these testimonies, Magistrate Shotobi has summoned Sam Larry to appear before the court at the next hearing on April 11. Additionally, the court has ordered the pathologist who conducted Mohbad’s autopsy to submit the report before the next proceedings.
