Nigerian rapper and Marlian Records boss, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has publicly urged the Lagos State Police Command to intensify and reopen the investigation into the death of his former signee, the late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad.
In a video released on his official YouTube channel on Tuesday, Naira Marley maintained his innocence in the tragic death of Mohbad, who died under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023. He called for a fresh probe and demanded the re-arrest of himself, his close associate Samson Balogun, also known as Samlarry, and all other persons implicated in the case to ensure justice is served.
“I came back to Nigeria to support the police because I can see fingers pointing our ways. So I had to come back so that they can actually have nothing to do with it and check whoever so that he can get justice,” Naira Marley said.
He revealed that he was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, for two months in 2023 and described the detention as unnecessary, asserting he hadn't seen Mohbad for over a year before the singer's death. According to Marley, a conspiracy and gang-up existed to keep him detained, and he pointed to leaked group chat messages that mentioned the investigating officer and even a judge.
“If you ask me, I will tell the police to arrest everybody again. Put an officer we can trust in charge,” Marley insisted.
Furthermore, he disclosed an agreement with Mohbad’s lawyer to allocate the late singer’s royalties to a family member appointed by the court to manage his estate, confirming that none of the proceeds have been touched since Mohbad’s passing.
Mohbad’s death sparked widespread public outcry and protests in 2023, with suspicions falling on members of the Marlian camp. Naira Marley and Samlarry were arrested and detained but later released on bail. The singer’s childhood friend, Owodunni Ibrahim (Prime Boy), was also arrested but given bail afterward.
An auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, who administered injections to Mohbad before his death, remains the key subject of prosecution following a Lagos State Coroner’s Court ruling. The court ruled that the deceased’s medical condition and the state of his body made it impossible to determine a definitive cause of death but concluded the death was due to medical negligence, ordering the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute the nurse.
Despite the official ruling clearing Naira Marley and others from involvement in Mohbad’s death, the hoodlum music star insists on fresh investigations, hoping a trustworthy police officer will lead a transparent case to bring clarity and justice to the troubling saga.
Naira Marley's call highlights continuing controversies and demands for accountability in one of Nigeria's most talked-about music-related tragedies in recent times.Nigerian rapper Naira Marley has called on the Lagos State Police Command to reopen the investigation into the death of his former signee, Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba). In a video posted on his YouTube channel, he maintained his innocence and urged the police to re-arrest him, his associate Samlarry (Samson Balogun), and others accused in connection with Mohbad's death.
Naira Marley revealed that after being detained for two months in Panti, Lagos, he fought for the release of his passport and alleged there was a conspiracy involving the investigating officer and even a judge to keep him in custody. He emphasized the need for a trustworthy officer to lead the investigation for transparency and justice.
He also disclosed an agreement with Mohbad’s lawyer to hand over the late singer’s royalties to a family member appointed by the court to manage his estate. Mohbad died under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, and subsequent investigations included arrests of Naira Marley, Samlarry, Mohbad’s childhood friend Prime Boy (Owodunni Ibrahim), and the auxiliary nurse who administered injections to Mohbad before his death.
The Lagos State Coroner’s Court ruled Mohbad’s death was due to medical negligence rather than foul play and ordered the prosecution of the nurse. Despite official statements clearing others, Naira Marley insists on fresh investigations and re-arrests to ensure justice is served.