Naira Marley Breaks Silence on Mohbad’s Death 2 Years After His Passing [VIDEO]

Two years after the sudden and shocking death of fast-rising Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, his former label boss, Naira Marley, has finally broken his silence, sharing his side of the story and responding to long-standing allegations that have trailed him since 2023.

The Marlian Music executive, who had been accused by sections of the public of having a hand in Mohbad’s tragic demise, recounted in a candid reflection how he first received the news, why he was immediately cast as a villain, and the lasting toll the incident has had on him.

The Day the News Broke

According to Marley, the day Mohbad passed away began like any other. He recalled being out of the country, working on music plans, when a close associate delivered the shocking words: “Mohbad is dead.”

“I looked at him and said, ‘It’s a lie, man. He wants to blow again.’ That was exactly my response. I didn’t believe it. Then I went on Instagram and saw Instablog reporting that he died of an ear infection. I was like, ‘Ear infection? That can’t be true.’”

But almost immediately, social media went into overdrive. “Twitter just exploded with posts. Suddenly, I was trending, and people were saying, ‘Naira Marley has finally killed him.’ I was in shock. I wasn’t even in Nigeria at the time,” he said.

Accusations and Old Videos

Marley explained that he quickly noticed blogs circulating old videos of Mohbad, including clips of his clash with the NDLEA and an altercation with his manager back in October 2022. For him, this appeared to be a coordinated effort to create a false narrative.

“They started posting videos from the NDLEA incident, and from the fight he had with his manager. But what did those events have to do with his death in 2023? It was like someone was paying blogs to spin the story against me,” he claimed.

The artist said the allegations left him unable to properly grieve.

“I didn’t even get the chance to mourn him. Each time I tried, I’d see comments saying I killed him. That pain has stayed with me because I know the truth. I was outside Nigeria, and I can prove it with passport stamps and travel videos.”

The Viral Sam Larry Video

One of the most explosive moments in the aftermath of Mohbad’s passing was the emergence of a viral video showing Sam Larry, a close associate of Naira Marley, confronting Mohbad during a video shoot. The clip quickly fueled suspicions of bullying and abuse within the Marlian Music circle.

However, Marley insists he first saw the video at the same time as the general public.

“I was shocked when I saw it. Like everyone else, I was angry. But then I asked questions. Sam Larry told me it wasn’t what people thought. He said he had gone to ask for his money and only tapped a chair. Looking closely, I realized he didn’t touch Mohbad in that video. But blogs used it to paint a different picture.”

Marley also pointed out that Sam Larry, too, was not in Nigeria when Mohbad died. “He was in Dubai, then Kenya, and later Paris,” Marley explained, suggesting that timelines didn’t add up with public accusations.

Fallout Between Mohbad and Marlian Music

Mohbad’s split from Marlian Music in 2022 had already drawn attention to the strained relationship between the singer and his former label. In the months before his passing, the late artist had repeatedly accused the Marlian camp of harassment and mistreatment; a narrative that made it easy for many fans to believe Marley had a role in his death.

For Marley, those accusations became the foundation for the hostility he continues to face.

“If this was a working country, the first thing investigators should have done was question those who were with him in the last 24–48 hours. Instead, people who weren’t even around were being blamed. That’s not justice,” he argued.

The Weight of Public Opinion

Despite his insistence on innocence, Marley admits the court of public opinion has already judged him. In the emotionally charged aftermath of Mohbad’s passing, hashtags calling for his arrest trended across platforms, and protests erupted in Lagos and beyond.

“I was upset and sad. I couldn’t even shoot the video I had planned. I couldn’t enjoy anything. We just stayed indoors in Amsterdam, and all I could see online were people blaming me for what I didn’t do,” he said.

Even now, the stigma remains. Marley described the experience as one of the most painful periods of his life, saying he still struggles with the reality that his name is tied to Mohbad’s death in the eyes of many Nigerians.

A Call for Truth

Two years later, Naira Marley continues to maintain that he had no involvement in Mohbad’s death. He says he has the evidence to prove his whereabouts and insists the real focus should be on uncovering what truly led to the young artist’s passing.

“I lost someone I once worked with, someone I knew personally. But I didn’t even get to mourn him properly because I was fighting for my own name. That’s not fair. What I want is the truth about what really happened to Mohbad,” he concluded.

Remembering Mohbad

Mohbad’s passing at just 27 years old left a deep wound in the Nigerian music industry. Known for hits like “Peace,” “Feel Good,” and “KPK (Ko Por Ke),” the singer was regarded as one of Afrobeats’ brightest rising stars. His death sparked nationwide conversations about industry pressures, record label disputes, and the mental health struggles of young creatives.

While questions remain unanswered, one thing is clear: Mohbad’s legacy continues to inspire fans, and his name will forever live on in the story of Afrobeats.