Music artist Naira Marley testified on Friday before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu, as part of the Coroner’s inquest into the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. During the proceedings, the court has also summoned Sam Larry to testify in relation to the case.
Naira Marley joined the court session virtually and explained that he signed Mohbad to his record label, Marlian Records, with plans to produce four albums. However, he stated that these albums were never made due to ongoing disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde.
Marley denied any allegations of threatening or molesting Mohbad, pointing to a police report that cleared him of these claims. He suggested that the allegations of molestation were simply fabrications.
When asked about a viral video where Mohbad claimed that Marley and the Marlian crew would be responsible if anything happened to him, Marley testified that Mohbad later apologized for that video, which was filmed while the artist was under the influence of drugs. He maintained that there were no disputes between himself and Mohbad and claimed the last time he saw the late artist was a year before his death. At that time, he was not even in Nigeria.
A second witness, Oluwasanmi Falade, who was Mohbad’s lawyer, contradicted Marley’s statements. He confirmed that there were indeed disputes over unpaid royalties between Mohbad and Marlian Records. Falade revealed that he had written several letters to the record label about the issue but had received no response. This matter is now part of litigation in the Federal High Court.
Falade also testified that Mohbad was attacked by music promoter Sam Larry at Lekki Beach. Following this incident, Mohbad reported the attack to the police, who made two unsuccessful attempts to arrest Sam Larry.
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After hearing all the testimonies, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to appear before the court at the next session, scheduled for April 11. The Coroner also asked to confirm the address of Mohbad’s driver to ensure that witness summons can be sent for him to testify. Additionally, the court requested the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy on Mohbad to submit their findings before the next court date.
Outside the court, Mohbad’s family lawyer, Wahab Shittu (SAN), spoke to journalists, stating that the testimonies so far do not provide clear evidence linking Naira Marley to Mohbad’s death. Shittu expressed confidence that the inquest would clarify the events leading up to Mohbad’s passing. He also mentioned plans to invite doctors from the hospitals where Mohbad was treated on the day of his death to testify about his condition.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming session as the court seeks to get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding the late artist’s death and the implications involving Sam Larry.
