Popular music artiste Naira Marley on Friday testified in a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu via virtual hearing in the Coroner’s inquest into the death of late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
In testifying before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, Naira Marley disclosed that Mohbad had signed a record deal with his record label, Marlian Records, for four albums. The albums never materialized as there were constant disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde.The artist refuted ever threatening or attacking Mohbad, citing a police report that had exonerated him of such claims.
When questioned on a viral clip where Mohbad stated Naira Marley and the Marlian crew should be held responsible in case anything happens to him, Marley replied that the deceased singer and his parents later issued an apology, stating that the clip was filmed when Mohbad was under the influence of drugs.
“The only issue he had was with Tunde his manager. Their fight started from a group chat which I still have the evidence with me. I tried to settle their differences but it got out of hand to the extent that they got physical.
“I even gave Mohbad the option of changing his manager if that would make him happy. When they got physical I didn’t report to the police because it was Mohbad that employed Tunde.”
“I have never threatened Mohbad neither did I bully him. Samlarry is a friend to both me and Mohbad. I never instructed him to beat Mohbad. I never cheated him neither did I exploit him.
“I requested for a virtual hearing today because of my safety. I have received threats from people saying they will kill me if I ever show up at Ikorodu. Ever since Mohbad left my record label, I never set my eyes on him. I was not in Nigeria when he died. I only came back to Nigeria to support the case,” he stated.
Another witness, Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, challenged Marley’s assertions, confirming that there had been a disagreement between Mohbad, the deceased artist, and Marlian Records over unpaid royalties. Falade revealed that he had written a series of letters to Marlian Records on Mohbad’s behalf but never got a response. He also added that the matter was currently in court under the Federal High Court.
According to sources, the lawyer also testified that Mohbad was attacked by music promoter Sam Larry at Lekki Beach and had reported the matter at the police. The Force Headquarters allegedly made two unsuccessful attempts to arrest Sam Larry, Falade added. In her follow-up ruling after testimonies, the Magistrate directed Sam Larry to appear again at the Coroner’s court next adjourned date, that is April 11. The Coroner also directed that the Coroner issues a witness summons to Mohbad’s driver so that they may give their testimony.
The court also directed pathologist, who conducted an independent autopsy on Mohbad, to send his findings both to the Coroner’s court and Chief Coroner prior to adjournment in the next sitting. The post-mortem on Mohbad remains ongoing as police try to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the late singer.
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