Afrobeat star Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has for the first time given a detailed account of his relationship with late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, following months of speculation and controversy surrounding the singer’s untimely death.
In a two-hour documentary released on Wednesday, Naira Marley addressed the series of allegations that have trailed him since Mohbad’s passing on September 12, 2023, insisting that he never bullied, threatened, or harmed the young artist who was once signed to his Marlian Music label.
Mohbad, who died at the age of 27, had publicly expressed fears for his life in the months leading up to his death.
His passing sparked protests, heated debates, and an inquest by authorities.
While a Lagos Magistrate’s Court in February 2024 cleared Naira Marley, music promoter Sam Larry (Samson Balogun), and others of direct involvement, public suspicion has persisted.
Speaking in the documentary, Naira Marley claimed that tensions between him and Mohbad began when he discovered that the late rapper was battling addiction.
According to him, Mohbad admitted to using a substance known as “Ice” (crystal meth).
“He told me he was taking Ice because of stress. I didn’t shout or get angry; I advised him on the dangers.
I’ve seen how it destroys lives in the UK. He promised to quit, and I respected that,” Marley said.
The Marlian boss insisted that their working relationship remained transparent, revealing that Mohbad had the freedom to choose his own manager and that financial dealings were done on a 50-50 split basis.
He also provided receipts and communication logs which, according to him, showed transparency.
One of the most controversial flashpoints came in February 2022, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided the Marlian house.
While Naira Marley was abroad at the time, Mohbad, Zinoleesky, and others were detained.
Upon release, Mohbad went live on Instagram, visibly distressed, and accused his record label of endangering his life, famously saying: “If I die, blame Naira Marley and Marlian Music.”
Naira Marley, however, said the live video was a product of fear and panic, not reality.
“He was having a panic attack and even accused his girlfriend, friends, and Zino.
He was in a vulnerable state. Still, he remained with Marlian Music afterwards and even apologised with his parents,” Marley explained.
According to Marley, Mohbad’s struggles deepened after the NDLEA incident.
He claimed that in March 2022, Mohbad attempted suicide, prompting him to intervene by arranging medical support.
He also alleged that Mohbad had searched online for poisonous insecticides, raising alarms about his mental health.
“I told his parents and we agreed he needed time away.
He wasn’t staying at Marlian house as much after that. I tried to help him get treatment,” Marley added.
By late 2022, Mohbad had made it clear he wanted to part ways with Marlian Music.
Through his lawyers, he served a termination notice, alleging intimidation and financial disputes.
Marley denied those claims, stating that Mohbad withdrew $72,000 from a DSP partner which belonged to the label, forcing them to withhold his royalties pending repayment.
“Our records are clear. I sent his lawyers proof of payments. Even after he left, all his royalties remain intact and his family can claim them,” Marley stated.
On September 12, 2023, Mohbad tragically died under controversial circumstances.
A coroner’s inquest later attributed his death to medical negligence, after an auxiliary nurse administered injections without proper prescription.
Despite this ruling, social media uproar and street protests pressured police into detaining Naira Marley for over two months when he returned to Nigeria to clear his name.
“I was in Amsterdam when he died. I wasn’t even in the country.
Yet I was locked up in Panti, Yaba, for two months. I’ve never sent anyone to harm him, and I will continue to say that,” Marley declared.
Naira Marley concluded by assuring that Mohbad’s royalties and music earnings remain untouched, and the late rapper’s family has full rights to access them.
He also maintained that he had no hand in Mohbad’s struggles, emphasising that what the singer faced was deeper than label disputes.
While his statement may not completely erase public doubts, it marks the most comprehensive defence yet from the Marlian Music boss.
Music insiders believe that the revelations could spark wider conversations about artist welfare, mental health in the entertainment industry, and record label ethics in Nigeria.
With Mohbad’s legacy still fresh in the minds of millions, the industry continues to grapple with lessons from his rise and tragic fall.