Nigerian singer Naira Marley, born Azeez Adeshina Fashola, has spoken out about the severe fallout that disrupted his commercial music career. Speaking during an Instagram Live broadcast, the Marlian Music founder claimed that public anger and persistent allegations surrounding the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, devastated his relationship with listeners.
The musician described watching his once-loyal fan base, popularly known as "Marlians," abandon his releases. Despite formal legal decisions clearing him of criminal liability in Mohbad's death, Marley asserted that public perception has remained hostile to his musical comeback.
Reflecting on Cultural Dominance and Lost Crowds During the broadcast, Marley revisited the peak of his cultural popularity between 2019 and 2022. He recalled presiding over an influential street-pop movement that helped shape youth fashion and slang across Nigeria.
Marley contended that his commercial success laid the foundation for subsequent street-pop artists before controversies interrupted his career trajectory. "I was doing well in music. I was there before the likes of Asake and Seyi Vibez. I remember when I influenced the entire country to stop wearing belts," he said.
The singer argued that listeners stopped supporting his work after accepting negative online allegations. "I attempted to explain, but Nigeria did not listen. I remember selling out venues across different regions. It is unfortunate," he added.
Defending His Relationship With Mohbad Addressing his disputed history with Mohbad, Marley maintained that he supported the late musician personally and professionally during his tenure at Marlian Music. Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, having previously released video statements and petitions alleging assault, harassment, and unpaid royalties following his departure from the imprint in 2022.
Marley rejected allegations that he mistreated his former signee, claiming he used personal earnings to support him. "I single-handedly bought him a car with my own hard-earned money, not the record label’s money," Marley stated, maintaining that he bore no responsibility for the events preceding Mohbad’s passing.
Following Mohbad’s demise, intense public outrage led several radio networks and event organizers to suspend Marlian Music catalogue records, sharply curtailing his commercial reach.
Court Rulings and State Legal Advice Marley’s public statements follow extensive legal reviews in Lagos State. Following Mohbad's death, police authorities detained Marley and music promoter Samson Balogun, known as Sam Larry, as persons of interest before releasing both on bail.
On February 25, 2025, the Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos formally discharged Marley, Balogun, Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy), and former manager Babatunde Opere. Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje acted upon written legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded that the four defendants had no case to answer regarding murder or criminal conspiracy.
The DPP’s legal advisory stated that while evidence indicated past physical altercations had occurred, an assault petition filed by Mohbad in October 2022 had been formally withdrawn by the singer days later after an amicable resolution. The DPP determined those past incidents did not establish criminal responsibility for his death.
Instead, the DPP advised the prosecution of auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Mohbad’s acquaintance Ayobami Sadiq on charges of reckless and negligent acts under Section 251(e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. In July 2025, the Lagos State High Court dismissed an application by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, seeking to quash the DPP’s advisory, affirming the Attorney General’s prosecutorial authority.
Unresolved Proceedings and Commercial Reality While the Magistrates' Court discharged Marley in connection with Mohbad's demise, other legal and administrative proceedings have continued independently. A coroner’s inquest established under the Lagos State Coroners' System Law has held hearings to establish the medical and circumstantial cause of death, hearing testimony from medical experts and witnesses.
Separately, Marley remains subject to an unresolved 11-count cybercrime indictment filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2019 before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. That trial remains pending before the federal judiciary.
For Marley, the social media session highlighted the persistent gap between judicial determinations and public sentiment. Although formal state evaluations cleared him of homicide culpability, the lasting reputational damage continues to hinder his return to mainstream music prominence.
