Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has broken his silence following the Yaba Magistrate Court’s ruling that cleared him and others of any involvement in the death of fellow artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Marley revealed that despite their past disagreements, he and Mohbad had resolved their issues before the singer’s untimely passing. He also voiced frustration over the prolonged delay in Mohbad’s burial and the shifting narratives surrounding his death.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Marley wrote, “I never thought silence could be so loud. I never imagined that someone I called my brother, someone I protected, would leave this world with my name in his shadow. I have carried this weight, this pain, this shame that was never mine to bear.”
He acknowledged past mistakes within his Marlian Music label but insisted they were business-related, not personal. “We, as Marlians, were not perfect. We had to grow, we had to adapt. Mistakes were made, but they were about business—never war. I made peace with Mohbad. We understood each other beyond the noise, beyond the misunderstandings. And you know this.”
Accusing unnamed individuals of fueling the false allegations against him, Marley continued, “Yet when he took his last breath in your arms, you turned to the world and pointed at me. You let them tear me apart. You let them call me a killer while you sat there, knowing the truth. Now you decide to tell the story?”
He further criticized those who, according to him, betrayed his trust. “I welcomed you all into my home. I gave you my trust. And yet, my brother is gone, still not buried, and that is your fault. If the truth had been told from the beginning, he would have found the rest he deserves. Regardless, I will always stand by him.”
Marley also addressed his legal battle and the impact of the accusations. “You never thought I would survive. You never thought I would walk through the fire and face my people. Maybe you hoped I would stay a fugitive. But instead, I stood before the justice system, spent time in jail, and faced everything head-on while you kept changing the story. But God sees all. The truth does not shake. The lies will fade, and time will reveal everything. I have been broken, but I am not destroyed. And when the truth finally speaks, I pray your heart is strong enough to bear it.”
Marley’s statement comes a day after the court ruled that he, his associate Sam Larry, and Prime Boy had no case to answer regarding Mohbad’s death. However, the court held that the auxiliary nurse who administered an injection to Mohbad, along with his friend Ayobami, would be prosecuted for reckless and negligent acts.
Since Mohbad’s tragic passing, Naira Marley has faced intense public scrutiny, with many accusing him of involvement despite his repeated denials. The controversy significantly impacted his reputation, dividing public opinion.
Mohbad, once a rising star under Marlian Music, left the label following a highly publicized fallout with Marley. His sudden death sparked nationwide outrage and demands for justice, further fueling suspicions surrounding those previously associated with him.
