“Reopen Mohbad’s Case, Re-Arrest Me, Samlarry, Others” – Naira Marley Tells Police

Nigerian rapper Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has called on the Lagos State Police Command to reopen investigations into the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, Marley maintained his innocence and urged the police to re-arrest him, his associate Samson Balogun, also known as Samlarry, and others previously accused in the case. He further demanded that a trustworthy officer be assigned to handle the matter.

“I came back to Nigeria to support the police because I could see fingers pointing our way. I had to return so that the truth can be uncovered and justice served,” he said.

The rapper, who was detained for two months at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in 2023, alleged there was a conspiracy to keep him in custody, citing leaked group chats that mentioned the officer in charge of the case. “If you ask me, I will tell the police to arrest everybody again. Put an officer we can trust in charge,” he added.

Marley also revealed that he has reached an agreement with Mohbad’s lawyer to ensure that the late singer’s royalties go to whichever member of his family the court appoints to manage his estate.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances. His former label boss, Naira Marley, and close associate Samlarry were accused of complicity and detained for two months before being released on bail. Mohbad’s childhood friend, Owodunni Ibrahim, popularly known as Prime Boy, was also arrested but later released after denying involvement. Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the auxiliary nurse who administered an injection alleged to have led to the singer’s death, was also taken into custody.

The Lagos State Coroner’s Court later ruled that the decomposed state of Mohbad’s body made it impossible to establish a definitive cause of death. However, it noted that the case pointed to medical negligence rather than foul play, and ordered the prosecution of the nurse.