Nigerian singer and Marlian Music boss Naira Marley has finally shared his side of the story surrounding the death of his former signee, Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Aloba). In a detailed statement, Marley sought to clarify misunderstandings and highlight the nature of his relationship with the late artist.
Marley recounted, “On December 30, 2019, I announced Mohbad, Zino, and Cblack as my artistes at The Marlian Fest. In January 2020, we had conversations on how he would drop his songs. He even said he wanted to drop a song so that he could get an award with Headies. Even though he dropped hot songs, Headies never gave him an award when he was alive until after he died. That is so sad. I believed in him because he had the zeal and energy to work. We were extremely close and we loved each other.”
He revealed that in June 2020 he learned Mohbad was taking “ice,” which he later discovered was crack cocaine. “Back in the UK, I knew what crack did to people’s lives so I advised him. He was taking it with his friend. He thanked me for the advice and our relationship was as smooth as ever,” Marley said.
On Mohbad’s finances, Marley explained, “On Dec 21, 2020, Mohbad sent me an account with the name Adesanya Justina Olajumoke. He said that was his new account where money should be paid into. I was like this is not your account, but anyway I paid his money there… When Mohbad got to my place, I told him I wasn’t comfortable sending money to the Olajumoke account and that he should go and open his own account. I stopped putting money in the Olajumoke account. Mohbad and I had a very plain and open relationship. I never cheated him. We had a smooth contract and everything was 50-50.”
He also spoke about Mohbad’s health struggles: “On November 16, 2020, he sent me a message that he was at the hospital treating malaria. Those people saying he is scared of the hospital can see this.”
Regarding the NDLEA incident in February 2022, Marley said, “After Mohbad was released from the NDLEA, he went live under duress. While having a panic attack, he accused me and others of life endangerment… I paid for Mohbad’s hospital bills, meds, and CT scan but still I wanted to know what really happened to him.”
Marley described Mohbad’s suicide attempt on March 27, 2022: “I got a phone call that Mohbad wanted to jump out of the window and kill himself. I called him immediately… He started apologizing again. After speaking to him on the phone, I got the address of where he was, I called Zino and other team members to go there and take it easy with him because he might be paranoid. His dad even followed them.”
Despite the challenges, Marley maintained, “Our relationship was still smooth. I have nothing to hide. We had a group chat named ‘Mohbad’s project’ where we discussed his songs… I said no, that he could go and get another manager if he didn’t want Tunde again.”
Marley concluded by reaffirming his innocence regarding Mohbad’s death: “I have always acted in Mohbad’s best interest and had no involvement in any harm that befell him. I am deeply saddened by his passing and remain committed to supporting his family and honoring his legacy.”
