Joseph Aloba, father of the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has once again reignited controversy over the circumstances surrounding his son’s turbulent music career and tragic death.
In a fresh interview with Sunday Scoop, Aloba accused Azeez Fashola, better known as Naira Marley, of consistently bullying and mistreating Mohbad during his time under Marlian Music, a claim that directly contradicts Marley’s recent public denial of wrongdoing.
Just days earlier, Naira Marley granted an interview in which he dismissed allegations of abuse, insisting that he only tried to “guide” Mohbad after noticing that the young singer was allegedly experimenting with hard substances.
According to Marley, his relationship with Mohbad was built on mentorship, not hostility.
However, Mohbad’s father has painted a different picture.
Aloba said he personally visited Marley to resolve some of the issues raised by his son, but what he observed left him convinced that Mohbad had suffered humiliation and bullying at the hands of his label boss.
“When we went to see him to apologise, he wasn’t even speaking respectfully,” Aloba recounted.
“People assume I went there to collect money, but life is beyond just what I want to eat. I was only concerned about my son’s wellbeing.”
Aloba further alleged that one of Marley’s close associates confided in him, claiming that the label boss sometimes physically assaulted Mohbad.
Although Marley has denied such allegations, the late singer’s father insisted that the mistreatment was real and left lasting scars on his son.
The emotional father stressed that Mohbad’s struggles were not just professional but also deeply personal, stemming from the toxic relationship he had with his record label.
Beyond allegations of bullying, Aloba also confirmed that financial irregularities were a major source of conflict between Mohbad and Naira Marley.
He recalled how Marley once complained that Mohbad was receiving payments through an account that was not in his name, a development that sparked mistrust.
“I warned him that anything he wanted to give me should come from his own account,” Aloba explained, admitting that he also noticed money transfers coming from unfamiliar accounts.
He, however, insisted that his knowledge of those financial dealings was limited, as he was more focused on his son’s safety and peace of mind.
Mohbad’s death in September 2023 sparked a nationwide outcry, with fans, fellow musicians, and activists demanding a thorough investigation.
The controversy led to the questioning of both Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, by the police, though both men were eventually released.
In recent weeks, calls to reopen the case surrounding Mohbad’s death have intensified, with public figures and fans urging the authorities not to allow the matter fade into silence.
Naira Marley himself has publicly stated that he is willing to be re-arrested and re-investigated alongside others if that will help establish the truth.
Still, the emotional testimonies from Mohbad’s father continue to fuel suspicion and keep the conversation alive.
For Joseph Aloba, the fight is not just about defending his late son’s legacy but also about demanding justice.
He believes that Mohbad’s voice was silenced too soon, and the young artist’s career was cut short by factors beyond his control.
“People will say different things, but as a father, I know what my son went through,” he maintained.
As fans continue to honor Mohbad’s memory with tributes and campaigns for justice, the rift between Naira Marley’s defense and Mohbad’s father’s accusations shows no signs of easing.