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Nigerian musician Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has released a new video addressing lingering allegations surrounding the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His death sparked widespread outrage and speculation, with fingers pointed at Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry (Samson Balogun), and others linked to Marlian Music.

In February 2025, a Magistrate’s Court in Yaba, Lagos, acquitted Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and two others — Ibrahim Owodunni (Primeboy) and Mohbad’s former manager, Babatunde Opere — of any involvement in the singer’s death. The court instead held an auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, responsible, describing her actions as “unlawful and professionally negligent” for administering injections without a doctor’s prescription.

Months after his acquittal, Naira Marley, in a video uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday, shared his version of events, insisting that he neither bullied nor harmed Mohbad.

“I’ve never sent anybody to bully him. I didn’t bully or kill Mohbad,” he declared.

The Marlian Music boss recounted that he first discovered Mohbad was using a substance called “Ice” in June 2020. According to him, he only advised Mohbad against it and never forced him to do anything.

He also presented evidence showing Mohbad selected his own manager and regularly visited hospitals, contrary to rumours that he was afraid to seek medical care.

Naira Marley further revealed that in March 2022, Mohbad attempted suicide while he (Naira Marley) was abroad. On his return, he said he spoke with Mohbad and his parents about seeking help, adding that he had paid for health checks and medications.

Naira Marley detailed several clashes Mohbad had with his management and recounted how, after a fight with his manager in October 2022, Mohbad publicly accused him of threats to his life.

He denied the allegations, claiming someone else might have used Mohbad’s phone to fabricate the accusations on social media.

The singer also revealed that Mohbad’s lawyers notified Marlian Music of his intention to leave the label in October 2022. He alleged that Mohbad later withdrew $72,000 from a digital streaming partner, which was not entirely his, prompting the label to withhold part of his royalties until the funds were returned.

Naira Marley revisited the February 2022 NDLEA raid on the Marlian house, during which Mohbad went live on Instagram under duress, accusing him and others of threatening his life. He insisted Mohbad made the statements while in a “vulnerable state of psychosis”.

Naira Marley said he was in Amsterdam when Mohbad died in September 2023. He questioned why those who were with the singer in his final 48 hours had not been arrested, insisting he had no role in the tragedy.

He also stated that music promoter Sam Larry assured him of his innocence, which he believed.

The artiste criticised the police for detaining him for two months at Panti, Yaba, despite his voluntary return to Nigeria to clear his name.

He concluded by saying Marlian Music was ready to release Mohbad’s royalties to his family or any individual recognised by the court.