Music artist Naira Marley testified on Friday before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu as part of the Coroner’s inquest investigating the cause of death of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Joining the proceedings virtually, Naira Marley informed Coroner Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi that he had signed Mohbad to his record label, Marlian Records, with the agreement to produce four albums. However, due to constant disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde, the albums were never completed before the artist left the label.
Marley also denied allegations of threatening or harassing Mohbad, citing a police report that cleared him of such accusations. He claimed that the claims of his involvement in mistreating Mohbad were purely speculative and existed only in people’s imaginations.
When questioned about a viral video in which Mohbad stated that Naira Marley and the Marlian crew should be held responsible if anything happened to him, Marley testified that Mohbad and his parents later apologized for the video, which was recorded while Mohbad was under the influence of drugs.
Marley maintained that there were no disputes or conflicts between him and Mohbad. He also denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death, stating that the last time he saw the artist was a year before his passing and that he was not in the country at the time of Mohbad’s death.
A second witness, Oluwasanmi Falade, Mohbad’s lawyer, contradicted Naira Marley’s claim that there was no dispute between them. Falade confirmed to the coroner that there was indeed a disagreement between Mohbad and Marlian Records over unpaid royalties.
The lawyer revealed that, at Mohbad’s request, he had written multiple times to Marlian Records regarding the issue but received no response. He added that the matter is currently the subject of litigation before the Federal High Court.
Falade also testified that the late Mohbad was attacked at Lekki Beach by music promoter, Sam Larry and following his advice, the late singer had reported the incident at the Force Headquarters which had unsuccessfully tried to arrest Sam Larry twice.
After listening to the testimonies, Magistrate Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to testify before the Coroners court at the next adjourned date.
The Coroner also directed parties in the inquest to confirm the address of late Mohbad’s driver so witness summons can also be sent to him to appear before the coroner to testify.
The coroner further directed the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy on the late Mohbad to forward a copy of his findings to the coroners court and same should also be forwarded to the Chief Coroner, before the next adjourned date.
The Coroner adjourned to April 11 to take the testimony of Sam Larry.
Outside the court, counsel to Mohbad’s family, Wahab Shittu (SAN) told journalists that what the testimonies have indicated so far is that there is no clear evidence yet to show whether Naira Marley had a hand directly or indirectly in the death of Mohbad.
The lawyer remains confident that the inquest will show the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Mohbad. He also said it was necessary to look more closely at all the people who were around the late Mohbad in the hours leading to his death.
Shittu said he has also applied to the Coroner to invite the doctors at the two hospitals the late Mohbad was rushed to, on the day he died so they could testify as to the state of the artiste when they saw him, and witness summons are likely to be issued to them to appear before the coroner when the time comes.