“Naira Marley, testifying virtually before a magistrate court in Ikorodu during the Coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death, denied allegations of threatening or molesting the late singer.1 He refuted claims of disputes between them, stating he signed Mohbad to Marlian Records for four albums, a contract that wasn’t fulfilled due to disagreements between Mohbad and his manager, Opere Babatunde.
He cited a police report that he claimed exonerated him from allegations of threats and molestation, asserting that these allegations existed only in “people’s imaginations.” Regarding Mohbad’s viral video implicating him and the Marlian crew, Naira Marley stated that Mohbad and his parents later apologized, attributing the video to drug influence. He also denied any involvement in Mohbad’s death, claiming he hadn’t seen him for a year and was out of the country at the time of his passing.
However, Oluwasanmi Falade, Mohbad’s lawyer and second witness, contradicted Naira Marley’s claims, asserting that a dispute over unpaid royalties did exist. Falade testified that he sent multiple letters to Marlian Records regarding this issue, which went unanswered, and that the matter was now subject to litigation in the Federal High Court. He also informed the court about an attack on Mohbad at Lekki Beach by music promoter Sam Larry, which was reported to the Force Headquarters.
Following these testimonies, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi summoned Sam Larry to appear before the Coroner’s court on April 11th.”
