Coroner’s Inquest: What Naira Marley revealed about Mohbad as Sam Larry summoned

Music artist Naira Marley testified on Friday before a Magistrate Court in Ikorodu, as part of the Coroner’s inquest investigating the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Speaking virtually before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, Marley stated that Mohbad was signed to his label, Marlian Records, for a four-album deal. However, he explained that the albums were never completed due to ongoing disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde.

Marley denied any involvement in threats or physical harm against Mohbad, citing a police report that cleared him of such allegations. “The claims that I molested Mohbad exist only in people’s imaginations,” he said.

Addressing a widely circulated video in which Mohbad stated that Marley and his crew should be held responsible if anything happened to him, the singer claimed that Mohbad and his parents later apologized for the statement, saying it was made while the late artist was under the influence of drugs.

He insisted there was no unresolved dispute between them and maintained he had no role in Mohbad’s passing. Marley added that he had not seen Mohbad for a year before his death and was out of the country at the time.

However, Mohbad’s lawyer, Oluwasanmi Falade, contradicted this, confirming there was indeed a dispute between the artist and Marlian Records over unpaid royalties. He testified that multiple letters were sent on Mohbad’s behalf regarding the issue, but the record label did not respond. The matter is now the subject of a lawsuit before the Federal High Court.

Falade also recounted an incident at Lekki Beach, where Mohbad was allegedly attacked by music promoter Sam Larry. He said the singer reported the incident to the Force Headquarters, which attempted to arrest Larry twice without success.

After hearing the testimonies, Magistrate Shotobi ordered Sam Larry to appear before the court at the next hearing on April 11. The coroner also instructed that the address of Mohbad’s driver be confirmed so he could be summoned to testify. Additionally, the pathologist who conducted an independent autopsy was directed to submit a copy of the findings to the Coroner’s Court and the Chief Coroner before the next hearing.

Outside the courtroom, Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel to Mohbad’s family, told journalists that there is currently no definitive evidence linking Marley to the artist’s death. However, he emphasized the importance of examining all the individuals who were around Mohbad in his final hours.

Shittu further revealed that he had requested the Coroner to summon the doctors from the two hospitals where Mohbad was taken on the day he died. Witness summonses are expected to be issued for their testimony in due course.