“I Never Threatened Mohbad” – Naira Marley Testifies at Coroner’s Inquest

Nigerian singer Naira Marley has testified before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu during the Coroner’s inquest into the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Joining the proceedings virtually on Friday, Naira Marley told the court everything he knew about his former signee’s passing while denying all allegations against him.

“I signed Mohbad to my label in 2019, and he left in September 2022. We never had any fight or argument. The only issue he had was with his manager, Tunde. Their disagreement started from a group chat, and I have the evidence,” he stated.

Addressing allegations of threats and bullying, he insisted, “I never threatened Mohbad, neither did I bully him. Sam Larry was a friend to both of us, and I never instructed him to harm Mohbad. I never cheated or exploited him.”

Regarding the viral video where Mohbad claimed he should be held responsible if anything happened to him, Naira Marley said, “Mohbad, his parents, and even his girlfriend later apologized for that video. He was under the influence of something when he made it.”

He also denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death, stating, “Since he left my record label, I never saw him again. I was not in Nigeria when he died. I only returned to support the case.”

However, a second witness, Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, refuted Naira Marley’s claims, stating that there was an unresolved dispute over royalty payments. “I wrote several times to Marlian Records, but they never responded,” the lawyer told the court.

Falade also testified that Mohbad had reported an attack by Sam Larry at Lekki Beach to the police, but efforts to arrest the music promoter were unsuccessful.

Following the testimonies, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to testify at the next hearing on April 11. The coroner also directed that Mohbad’s driver be located and summoned, while the pathologist who conducted the independent autopsy must submit a copy of his findings before the next session.