Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, has testified before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ikorodu, as part of the Coroner’s inquest aimed at elucidating the underlying factors contributing to the demise of Ilerioluwa Aloba, also recognized as Mohbad.
Naira Marley participated in the proceedings via a virtual platform on Friday, wherein he conveyed to the court all pertinent information regarding the circumstances surrounding his colleague’s death, concurrently seeking to absolve himself of the various allegations levied against him.
The artist commenced his statement by informing the Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, that he had signed the late Mohbad to his record label, Marlian Records, with the intent of producing four albums; however, these albums remained unproduced until the artist’s departure, primarily due to ongoing disputes between the artist and his manager, Opere Babatunde.
The musician further refuted any claims of having threatened or assaulted the late Mohbad, citing a police report that declared him innocent of such accusations.
Naira Marley asserted that the insinuations of his involvement in the molestation of Mohbad existed solely within the realm of public speculation.
Upon inquiry regarding the widely circulated video in which the late Mohbad asserted that Naira Marley and the entire Marlian entourage should be held accountable should any harm befall him, the witness testified that both Mohbad and his parents subsequently issued an apology for that video, which was recorded while the artist was reportedly under the influence of narcotics.
Naira Marley maintained that no conflicts or disagreements had transpired between himself and the late Mohbad.
He also categorically denied any involvement in the demise of Mohbad, asserting that the last occasion he encountered the artist was a year prior to his death and that he was not present in the country at the time of Mohbad’s passing.
A secondary witness, the legal representative of the late Mohbad, Oluwasanmi Falade, contested Naira Marley’s assertion of the absence of disputes between him and the late Mohbad.
The attorney affirmed to the coroner that there indeed existed a dispute between Marlian Records and his client concerning the allocation of royalties.
He stated that at the insistence of Mohbad, he had composed numerous correspondences to Marlian Records regarding the matter but received no reply.
Nevertheless, he indicated that the issue has since escalated into a matter of litigation before the Federal High Court.
Falade also testified that the late Mohbad had been assaulted at Lekki Beach by music promoter, Sam Larry; following his counsel, the late artist reported the incident at the Force Headquarters, which had made unsuccessful attempts to apprehend Sam Larry on two occasions.
After considering the testimonies presented, Magistrate Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to provide testimony before the Coroners’ court on the next scheduled date.
The Coroner further instructed the involved parties in the inquest to verify the address of the late Mohbad’s driver so that a witness summons could be issued for him to appear before the coroner and provide testimony.
Additionally, the coroner mandated that the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy on the late Mohbad submit a copy of his findings to the coroners’ court, which should also be forwarded to the Chief Coroner prior to the next scheduled date.
The Coroner subsequently adjourned the proceedings to April 11 for the purpose of obtaining the testimony of Sam Larry.
