By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde
Naira Marley recently testified before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu as part of the Coroner’s investigation into Mohbad’s death.
He shared details about his professional relationship with Mohbad, who was signed to his record label, Marlian Records, to produce four albums. However, due to disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde, the albums were never produced.
Naira Marley denied allegations of threatening or molesting Mohbad, referencing a police report that cleared him of these charges. He stated that claims of molestation “existed only in people’s imaginations.” When questioned about a viral video where Mohbad implicated Naira Marley and his team in his potential harm, Naira Marley claimed that Mohbad and his parents apologized for the video, which was made while Mohbad was under the influence of drugs.
Naira Marley maintained that there were no disputes between him and Mohbad, and he denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death. He claimed to have last seen Mohbad a year before his passing and was not in the country at the time of his death.
However, Oluwasanmi Falade, Mohbad’s lawyer, contradicted Naira Marley’s statement, confirming a dispute between Marlian Records and Mohbad over unpaid royalties. Falade revealed that he wrote to Marlian Records multiple times on Mohbad’s behalf but received no response. This issue is now being litigated in the Federal High Court.
Falade also testified that Mohbad was attacked by music promoter Sam Larry at Lekki Beach. Following Falade’s advice, Mohbad reported the incident to the Force Headquarters, which attempted to arrest Sam Larry twice.
Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to testify on April 11. The coroner also directed parties to confirm the address of Mohbad’s driver to secure his testimony. Additionally, the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy on Mohbad was instructed to submit the findings to the coroner’s court and the Chief Coroner before the next adjourned date.
