Nigerian singer and Marlian Records boss, Naira Marley, has finally addressed the controversies surrounding his strained relationship with the late Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
In a tell-all video released late yesterday on the Marlian YouTube Channel, the embattled artist tackled long-standing allegations of bullying, financial exploitation, and his alleged involvement in the troubled career of his former signee.
The nearly hour-long clip has reignited heated debates, as Marley made a series of startling claims about Mohbad’s lifestyle, finances, and mental health struggles.
Drug allegations and substance abuse
One of Marley’s most explosive revelations was his claim that Mohbad had been introduced to a hard drug known locally as “Ice” by friends outside Marlian Records. He described the late singer as a young talent under immense pressure, who often turned to substances as a coping mechanism.
According to Marley, he advised Mohbad to quit the habit, and the singer at one point apologised to him for getting involved with the drug. This disclosure has split public opinion, with critics accusing Marley of shifting blame, while supporters argue he was only trying to portray himself as a concerned mentor.
The mother-in-law account mystery
Marley also shed light on Mohbad’s financial arrangements. He claimed that Mohbad once directed that all his earnings and royalties be paid into an account belonging to a woman named Adesanya Justina Olajumoke, whom the singer introduced as his mother-in-law.
Marley said he found the arrangement suspicious, as Mohbad’s biological mother bore a different name. Nonetheless, he complied, transferring payments into the account. This revelation has since triggered speculation about possible financial mismanagement, hidden family dynamics, or private disputes within Mohbad’s circle.
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Denial of bullying and harassment
Addressing one of the most damaging accusations against him, Marley categorically denied orchestrating any form of bullying or physical assault on Mohbad. He rejected claims that he masterminded the singer’s breakdowns or fallout with Marlian Records, stressing that he never wished harm upon him.
“I have been unfairly labelled as a bully,” Marley insisted, describing himself instead as a scapegoat in the tragic narrative that followed Mohbad’s death.
Claims of premeditated death
In perhaps his most controversial statement, Marley suggested that Mohbad’s death in September 2023 was “premeditated”, implying there were forces beyond coincidence behind the tragedy. While he did not provide concrete evidence, his words have fueled renewed speculation and conspiracy theories among fans.
Alibi and last sighting
Marley clarified that the last time he saw Mohbad was on October 4, 2022, during a disagreement between the late singer and his former manager, Tunde. He denied being in Nigeria at the time of Mohbad’s death, claiming he was first in Amsterdam and later in Montenegro.
To support his alibi, Marley said he has passport stamps and witnesses who can confirm his whereabouts.
Old clips; misrepresented videos
The singer also accused some blogs of recycling old clips to frame him in a negative light. He cited the viral footage of Sam Larry confronting Mohbad, insisting it was misrepresented and not recorded on the day of the singer’s passing.
Similarly, he dismissed a Snapchat video of him dancing shortly after Mohbad’s death, claiming it was an old clip being deliberately reused to paint him as insensitive.
Mohbad’s mental health and suicide attempt
Marley further revealed troubling details about Mohbad’s mental health. He referred to a leaked voice note in which the late singer sounded paranoid and fearful, adding that Mohbad was at one point admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
“He became a shadow of himself after the NDLEA raid,” Marley said, describing how the young artist struggled with trauma and depression.
He also alleged that Mohbad once attempted suicide by locking himself in a room. According to Marley, he intervened after recording their conversation and persuaded him not to harm himself.
Divisive video and public reaction
The release of Marley’s video has once again placed him at the centre of controversy. Supporters say he is finally speaking his truth and providing clarity, while critics argue that his statements are self-serving attempts to rewrite history and salvage his tarnished image.
For many fans, the timing of the revelations, nearly two years after Mohbad’s death, raises questions about Marley’s motives and whether his disclosures can truly shift public perception.
What remains clear, however, is that the wounds left by Mohbad’s untimely passing are far from healed, and Naira Marley’s latest video has only deepened the debate over truth, accountability, and legacy in Nigeria’s music industry.
Royalty release and financial transparency
Marley also addressed allegations that he withheld Mohbad’s royalties during their fallout. He insisted that all music earnings, streaming revenues, and performance royalties were released in full to the account Mohbad instructed – Adesanya Justina Olajumoke.
According to Marley, there were no outstanding payments owed to Mohbad at the time of his departure from Marlian Records. He emphasised that the label’s financial records could back up his claim, arguing that this proved he did not exploit or defraud the late singer.
This disclosure has fueled fresh debate among fans and critics, with some taking it as evidence of transparency, while others question whether the arrangement itself, tied to the “mother-in-law account”, left Mohbad vulnerable to financial mismanagement.
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