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“I wouldn’t have believed him if he hadn’t documented everything so thoroughly — messages, calls, videos, and dates, right from the very first day till the very last. Those who wrongly accused him owe him an apology, at the very least.” — Bashir Ahmad, former presidential aide
The Backstory: From Collaborators to Controversy
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as MohBad, was once one of the brightest rising stars in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene. Signed to Marlian Music, the record label of street-hop singer Naira Marley, his career initially flourished under the label’s influence.
But by late 2022, cracks began to show. MohBad accused the Marlian camp of physical assaults, intimidation, and non-payment of royalties. In a widely circulated exit letter, he formally announced his departure from the label, citing fear for his safety and unfair treatment.
Escalation and Public Outcry
The rift deepened in early 2023 when the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) raided Marlian associates. Videos later emerged showing MohBad in visible distress, claiming his life was in danger and naming Naira Marley and his associates as potential threats.
When MohBad died suddenly on September 12, 2023, aged 27, the news sent shockwaves across Nigeria. His death triggered nationwide protests under the banner #JusticeForMohBad, with fans demanding accountability. The music industry faced one of its most turbulent periods as suspicion and outrage boiled over.
Legal Proceedings and Their Outcomes
Initial Investigations: Following public pressure, Naira Marley was detained in October 2023 for questioning. Authorities exhumed MohBad’s body for autopsy, but no conclusive findings were immediately released. A coroner’s inquest was ordered to establish cause of death.
Charges Dropped: In February 2025, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) revealed that MohBad had formally withdrawn his earlier assault complaint against Naira Marley before his death. Consequently, a Magistrate’s Court cleared Naira Marley, socialite Sam Larry, and others of wrongdoing, citing insufficient evidence.
Nurse Negligence Identified: Later, the coroner identified professional negligence on the part of the auxiliary nurse who treated MohBad shortly before his death. She had administered injections without a doctor’s prescription. While negligence was confirmed, no foul play was established.
Ongoing Investigations: Despite these findings, MohBad’s father remained unsatisfied. By mid-2025, he had commissioned a second autopsy costing ₦16 million and continued pressing for witness summonses against individuals believed to have been around MohBad in his final hours.
Naira Marley Speaks His Truth
In August 2025, Naira Marley released a two-hour video in which he laid out his defense. The footage included WhatsApp conversations, call logs, videos, and date-stamped exchanges intended to prove he had no hand in MohBad’s death.
The thoroughness of his documentation won him a measure of vindication in the public eye. Even political figures, including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, praised the importance of keeping records, suggesting Marley’s diligence may have spared him from permanent reputational damage.
Lessons and Legacy
Documentation Matters: Bashir Ahmad’s remarks underscore a wider truth in today’s world—allegations can spread quickly, but documentation remains the strongest form of self-defense.
Justice Still Elusive: Despite legal clearances, the circumstances of MohBad’s death remain unresolved in the minds of many Nigerians. Calls for justice continue to reverberate, keeping the case alive in public discourse.
Industry Reckoning: Beyond the legal battles, the saga exposed troubling realities within Nigeria’s music industry: exploitative contracts, lack of artist welfare, and unchecked power imbalances between labels and young talents.
Key Developments at a Glance
Final Reflection
The tragic death of MohBad left a nation grieving and questioning the very structures that govern its entertainment industry. While the courts may have delivered rulings, the case remains a symbol of unresolved grief, mistrust, and a demand for justice.
For Naira Marley, meticulous documentation provided a lifeline in the storm. For MohBad, however, the questions linger: Was justice truly served? Or is the truth still buried beneath layers of negligence, industry politics, and unanswered calls for accountability?
One thing is certain—the legacy of MohBad will endure, not just through his music, but as a rallying point for a generation demanding fairness, transparency, and protection for artists.
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