Mohbad’s Death: Naira Marley Denies Allegations, Coroner Summons Sam Larry

Popular musician Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, testified on Friday before an Ikorodu Magistrate Court during the coroner’s inquest into the controversial death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.

Appearing virtually before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, Marley refuted claims of harassment or threats against Mohbad, dismissing allegations as baseless. He stated that while Mohbad was signed to his record label, Marlian Records, to produce four albums, internal conflicts with his manager, Opere Babatunde, prevented the completion of the contract.

Marley also addressed a viral video in which Mohbad suggested he should be held responsible if anything happened to him. He claimed that Mohbad and his family later apologised, attributing the statement to drug-induced paranoia. He further insisted that he had not been in contact with the late singer for a year before his passing and was out of the country at the time of his death.

However, the late singer’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, contradicted Marley’s testimony, asserting that Mohbad had ongoing disputes with Marlian Records over unpaid royalties. He revealed that repeated legal correspondences on the matter went unanswered, prompting the case to be taken to the Federal High Court.

Falade also testified that Mohbad had reported an assault by music promoter Sam Larry at Lekki Beach and that police had attempted to arrest the suspect on two occasions without success.

Following the testimonies, Magistrate Shotobi ordered Sam Larry to appear before the court on April 11. The coroner also requested the address of Mohbad’s driver so that he could be summoned to testify. Additionally, the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy on the late singer was directed to submit his findings to the court and the Chief Coroner before the next hearing.

Outside the courtroom, Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel for Mohbad’s family, stated that while there was no direct evidence linking Marley to Mohbad’s death, the inquest was crucial in establishing the events leading up to the tragedy. He also requested that medical personnel from the hospitals where Mohbad was treated before his death be summoned to provide further insight into his final moments.