Singer Naira Marley Testifies in Coroner’s Inquest on Mohbad’s Death, Denies Allegations

Music star Naira Marley appeared virtually before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu on Friday during the ongoing Coroner’s inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

While testifying before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, Marley explained that Mohbad was signed to his record label, Marlian Records, under a contract to produce four albums. However, he said the albums were not completed because of frequent disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde.

Naira Marley strongly denied claims of threatening or molesting the late singer. He referred to a police report that cleared him of any wrongdoing and described all accusations of harassment as “existing only in people’s imaginations.”

Addressing a viral video where Mohbad stated that Marley and his crew should be held responsible if anything happened to him, Marley claimed the singer and his parents later apologized, saying Mohbad had made the video under the influence of drugs. He also stated he hadn’t seen Mohbad for over a year before his death and was not even in the country at the time of the singer’s passing.

However, Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, challenged Marley’s testimony. He revealed that Mohbad had an unresolved dispute with Marlian Records over unpaid royalties. Falade stated that he sent several letters demanding payment on behalf of Mohbad, but the record label never responded. The matter was already in court before Mohbad’s death.

Falade also recounted an alleged attack on Mohbad at Lekki Beach, linked to music promoter Sam Larry. According to him, Mohbad tried to report the attack to the police, and despite difficulties, the Force Headquarters attempted to arrest Sam Larry.

Following the hearing, Magistrate Shotobi ordered Sam Larry to appear in court on April 11 to give his testimony. The court also summoned Mohbad’s driver and requested the pathologist who carried out an independent autopsy on Mohbad to submit a report to both the court and the Chief Coroner.

Outside the courtroom, Wahab Shittu (SAN), representing Mohbad’s family, told reporters that there is currently no direct or indirect evidence linking Naira Marley to Mohbad’s death. He emphasized that the inquest is essential in uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the young singer’s passing.

Shittu also shared that he had requested the Coroner to summon doctors from the two hospitals where Mohbad was treated on the day he died, so they can testify and provide more clarity on his condition in his final moments.