Music artist Naira Marley appeared virtually before an Ikorodu Magistrate Court on Friday in the ongoing Coroner’s inquest investigating the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
During his testimony before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, Naira Marley stated that Mohbad had signed a contract with Marlian Records to produce four albums. However, due to repeated disagreements with his manager, Opere Babatunde, none of the albums were completed before Mohbad left the label.
Marley firmly denied accusations of threatening or harassing the late singer, citing a police report that cleared him of such allegations. “These claims exist only in people’s imagination,” he asserted.
When questioned about Mohbad’s viral video, in which the late artist said Marley and his crew should be held responsible if anything happened to him, the singer claimed Mohbad and his family later apologized. He suggested that the video was made under the influence of drugs.
Marley also stated that he had no disputes with Mohbad and had not seen him for a year before his passing. He added that he was not even in the country when the artist died.
However, Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, contradicted Marley’s claims, confirming there was indeed a dispute over unpaid royalties. He said that despite sending multiple letters to Marlian Records regarding the issue, he never received a response. Falade also revealed that Mohbad had reported being attacked by music promoter Sam Larry at Lekki Beach, prompting police intervention.
Following these testimonies, Magistrate Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to testify at the next court session on April 11. The coroner also ordered that Mohbad’s driver be located and summoned, while the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy must submit his findings to the court and the Chief Coroner.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Mohbad’s family lawyer, Wahab Shittu (SAN), told journalists that no clear evidence had yet been found linking Marley directly or indirectly to Mohbad’s death. However, he emphasized the need to scrutinize the singer’s final hours and all those present during that time.
Shittu also confirmed he had requested the Coroner to summon the doctors from the two hospitals Mohbad was taken to before his death, so they could testify about his condition when he arrived.
