Following the controversy surrounding the tragic passing of Nigerian singer, IleriOluwa Aloba, a.k.a Mohbad, his former promoter and boss Naira Marley has broken his silence, addressing the accusations against him and personal turmoil he had faced since his former signee’s death.
LEADERSHIP reports that the owner of the Malian Music record label and two other persons were absolved of any complicity in the death of Mohbad by a Magistrate Court in Lagos on Tuesday.
In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Naira Marley reflected on the weight of the allegations levelled against him over Mohbad’s death, the betrayal he felt from those closest to him, and his pursuit of justice over the matter.
“I never thought silence could be so loud. I never thought someone I called my brother, someone I protected, would leave this world with my name in his shadow,” he said, expressing the deep pain he has carried in the wake of Mohbad’s untimely demise.
The singer acknowledged the complexities within the Marlian Music family, admitting that while mistakes were made, they were never acts of war.
“We, as Marlians, were not perfect. We had to grow, we had to adapt. Mistakes were made, but they were business—never war.”
Addressing his relationship with late Mohbad, Naira Marley insisted that they had made peace before the tragedy struck.
“I made peace with Mohbad. We understood each other beyond the noise, beyond the misunderstandings. And you know this,” he stated, seemingly directing his words at those who have accused him of involvement in the late singer’s death.
However, Naira Marley expressed deep disappointment in those who remained silent while he bore the brunt of public condemnation.
“Yet when he took his last breath in you all’s arms, you looked at the world and pointed at me. You let them tear me apart. You let them call me a killer while you sat there, knowing the truth. Now you tell the story?”
He accused the individuals of withholding crucial information that could have brought clarity to the case sooner.
“I welcomed you all into my home. I gave you my trust. And yet, my brother is gone, still not buried, and that is your fault. Telling the truth from the beginning would have given him the rest he deserves.”
Despite the turmoil, Naira Marley affirmed his continued support for Mohbad, even in death, “Regardless, I will always be there for him.”
The musician also spoke about his decision to return to Nigeria and face the legal system rather than fleeing from the allegations.
“You never thought I would survive. You never thought I would walk through the fire and face my people, maybe you hoped I would stay a fugitive. You thought I would run. Instead, I stood before the justice system, spent time in jail, and faced everything head-on while you changed the story, again and again.”
Maintaining his innocence, he placed his faith in divine justice, confident that the truth would prevail in time.
“But God sees all. The truth does not shake. The lies will fade, and time will reveal everything. I have been broken, but I am not destroyed. And when the truth finally speaks, I pray your heart is strong enough to bear it.”
Mohbad’s passing has remained one of the most controversial events in the Nigerian music industry, with ongoing investigations and public outcry demanding justice.
