The storm surrounding the untimely death of Afrobeats star Mohbad has refused to die down, and at its center stands his former label boss, Naira Marley.
After months of silence, Marley has finally opened up—defending himself against accusations and insisting he was wrongly dragged into the controversy.
“They Had No Reason to Arrest Me”
Marley recounted how he was arrested upon his return to Nigeria in the wake of Mohbad’s passing, despite being out of the country when tragedy struck. According to him, he was in Amsterdam, watching the news of Mohbad’s death unfold like everyone else.
“They had no reason to hold me for that long in a working country,” he said, referring to the two months he spent in detention at Panti, Yaba, with his passport seized throughout the ordeal. He insists investigators should have focused on those who were with Mohbad in the 24–48 hours before his death, not him.
Denial of Bullying and Dark Allegations
Amid long-standing rumors, Marley flatly denied accusations that he bullied Mohbad or had any role in his demise.
“I didn’t bully him, and I didn’t kill him,” Marley declared, while acknowledging that Mohbad had faced mental health battles, substance use issues, and even a suicide attempt during his lifetime. These, he argued, were deeply personal struggles—not outcomes of label pressure.
Mohbad’s Last Days and the NDLEA Raid
The Marlian Records boss revisited the February 2022 NDLEA raid, where Mohbad allegedly suffered a panic attack and went live on Instagram with emotional outbursts. Marley claims Mohbad later apologized to him, his family, and his girlfriend for the accusations made during that incident.
Adding another layer to the saga, Marley alleged that Mohbad once withdrew $72,000 from a digital streaming partner in 2022, money he said belonged to the label. Until the funds were accounted for, some royalty payments were reportedly withheld.
A Call for a Fresh Investigation
Marley is now pushing for what he calls a transparent and impartial investigation, arguing that the truth can only come from revisiting the case without bias.
“If you ask me, I would tell the police to arrest everybody… put an officer we can trust in charge,” he urged.
The Bigger Picture: A Death That Shook a Nation
Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, sparking nationwide protests, candlelight vigils, and global outrage. His body was later exhumed for an autopsy as both the Lagos State Police Command and DSS launched investigations.
This tragedy reignited old disputes, including Mohbad’s 2022 accusations of bullying and assault against Marley—allegations Marley insists were products of Mohbad’s troubled state of mind.
At a Glance: Naira Marley’s Standpoint
| Issue | Marley’s Claim |
|---|---|
| Presence in Nigeria | Was in Amsterdam during Mohbad’s death |
| Bullying Allegations | Denies ever bullying or harming Mohbad |
| Who Should Be Investigated | Everyone with Mohbad in his last 24–48 hours |
| Label Finances | Mohbad withdrew $72k; royalties withheld until repayment |
| Demand | Fresh probe led by a trusted officer |
