Nigerian singer and Marlian Music boss, Naira Marley, has finally spoken out about the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
His emotional statement comes after he was discharged and acquitted of any involvement in Mohbad’s passing, a tragic event that sparked outrage and allegations against him.
Marley, who had maintained a long period of silence amid the accusations, opened up about the pain and betrayal he felt over the entire situation.
“I never thought silence could be so loud. I never thought 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 lamented.
The death of Mohbad in September 2023 led to widespread speculation, with Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, being accused of having a hand in it.
The accusations were fueled by past altercations between Mohbad and Marlian Music, despite Naira Marley maintaining that they had resolved their differences before the young rapper’s death.
“We, as Marlians, were not perfect. We had to grow, we had to adapt. Mistakes were made, but they were business—never war. I made peace with Mohbad.
“We understood each other beyond the noise, beyond the misunderstandings. And you know this,” he stated, addressing those he believes knew the truth but chose to remain silent.
In his statement, Marley expressed deep pain over being vilified, suggesting that those close to Mohbad allowed the world to blame him despite knowing he was innocent.
“Yet when he took his last breath in you all’s arms, you looked at 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 tell the story?” he questioned.
The singer also criticised the handling of Mohbad’s burial, placing responsibility on those who delayed laying him to rest.
“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. Telling the truth from the beginning would have given him the rest he deserves. Regardless, I will always be there for him,” he said.
He also reflected on the ordeal he endured, noting that he did not run from the allegations but faced them directly through the justice system.
“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.
“You thought I would run. Instead, I stood before the justice system, spent time in jail, and faced everything head-on while you changed the story, again and again.”
Despite the immense scrutiny and challenges he faced, the singer expressed hope that the truth would eventually come to light.
“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.”
While the authorities have officially cleared him of wrongdoing, the lingering controversies and unanswered questions continue to dominate public discourse.
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