*Confirms Royalties Intact And Pledged To Family Or Court
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Popular Nigerian musician Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, has released a nearly two-hour documentary titled “My Side of the Story” on the Marlian Music YouTube channel, addressing the controversial death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad.
Released on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the documentary provides Marley’s detailed account of their relationship, Mohbad’s time at Marlian Music, and the events leading to the singer’s death on September 12, 2023, at age 27. Marley vehemently denies allegations of bullying or involvement in Mohbad’s death, sparking renewed debate amid Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with justice and accountability in high-profile cases.
In the documentary, Marley chronicles Mohbad’s journey with Marlian Music, which began in 2019 when he signed the rising star alongside artists like Zinoleesky. He describes a transparent business relationship, including a 50-50 royalty split and personal support for Mohbad’s medical and professional needs. Marley revealed that in July 2020, Mohbad independently chose his manager, Tunde, with a negotiated 10% commission, countering claims that the label imposed handlers.
However, tensions emerged. Marley alleges that on June 7, 2020, he learned Mohbad was using a substance called “Ice” (crack), which the singer attributed to stress. Marley claims he advised Mohbad against it, citing its dangers based on his experiences in the UK, and that Mohbad promised to stop. “I wasn’t angry. I called him, advised him, and told him about the danger,” Marley said, emphasizing that no coercion was involved.
Marley also addressed a February 24, 2022, raid by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the Marlian house, during which Mohbad was detained after a physical altercation with officers. Marley, who was in Sweden at the time, said Mohbad went live on Instagram in a “state of psychosis,” accusing Marley, Zinoleesky, and others, including their wives, of wrongdoing. Marley claims Mohbad later apologized to him, his parents, and his girlfriend, Wunmi, for these statements.
The relationship deteriorated further in 2022. On October 5, Mohbad publicly accused Marley of orchestrating physical assaults for requesting a manager change, claims Marley dismissed as exaggerated. By October 7, Mohbad’s lawyer issued a termination letter to Marlian Music, citing unpaid royalties and threats. Marley countered that he provided a payment log to demonstrate transparency. In December 2022, Mohbad allegedly withdrew $72,000 from a digital streaming partner funds Marley claims were not his—which led Marlian Music to withhold some royalties until the issue was resolved. Marley noted that communication with Mohbad and his legal team ceased thereafter, with their last meeting on October 4, 2022, during a dispute with Mohbad’s manager.
Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023, under mysterious circumstances, triggered nationwide outrage and accusations against Marley and his associate, Samson “Sam Larry” Balogun. Marley, who was in Amsterdam at the time, learned of the death via social media and initially suspected it was a publicity stunt. He expressed frustration that those with Mohbad in his final 24–48 hours were not thoroughly investigated, insisting, “I’ve never sent anybody to bully him.” He also defended Sam Larry, stating, “Sam Larry explained to me that he had no hand in his death, and I believe him.”
Marley criticized the Nigerian police for detaining him for two months at Panti, Yaba, in 2023, despite his voluntary return to Nigeria to clear his name. He called for a renewed investigation led by a “trustworthy officer” to re-arrest all involved parties, including himself, to uncover the truth.
In February 2025, a Yaba Magistrate Court cleared Marley, Sam Larry, Primeboy (Ibrahim Owodunni), and Mohbad’s former manager, Babatunde Opere, of involvement in Mohbad’s death, ruling they had “no case to answer.” The court instead recommended prosecuting auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Mohbad’s friend Ayobami Sadiq for “reckless and negligent acts,” after Ogedengbe administered an injection without a doctor’s prescription, deemed “unlawful and professionally negligent” by the Coroner’s Court in July 2025.
Marley emphasized that Marlian Music maintains transparency in handling Mohbad’s royalties, which remain intact. He confirmed that the label has contacted Mohbad’s lawyer to transfer all owed funds to whomever the family or a court designates, addressing claims by journalist Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo that Mohbad was owed ₦300 million.
“History of Rivers State Judiciary: A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench.” Authored by Ampim Gogo Blankson, Esq., Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rivers State Judiciary
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