Nigerian singer and Marlian Records boss, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has opened up about a 2022 incident involving late artist Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad, in which the singer reportedly attempted to take his own life.
In a recent interview addressing the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, Naira Marley narrated how he received a distressing call while he was in Puerto Rico for a show on March 27, 2022, informing him that Mohbad had attempted suicide.
“I was in Puerto Rico for Afro Nation when I got a phone call and message that Mohbad was trying to jump out the window and kill himself,” Marley said. “When they called me and said he wanted to kill himself, I called him and said, ‘You’re a king, why do you want to kill yourself?’ I told him, even if it’s your dad or mum or anything stressing you, leave them. Just come back.”
He explained that he tried to console the artist and prevent the suicide attempt, reminding him of a previous video in which Mohbad had said Naira Marley should be held responsible if anything happened to him.
“He apologized. I told him I wasn’t angry. The only reason this is coming up again is because you want to kill yourself again,” Marley recounted.
He added that after the call, he mobilized people from the Marlian house, including Mohbad’s father, to visit and lift the singer’s spirits. “They vibed and went back home. Then he said he wanted to go, that his phone was ringing.”
Mohbad, a former signee under Marlian Records, died under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His death sparked widespread outrage and protests across Nigeria, with fans demanding justice. Many pointed fingers at Naira Marley and others in his circle, citing Mohbad’s previous claims of threats and bullying while under the label.
Shortly after Mohbad’s passing, videos surfaced showing the late artist in distress during his time with Marlian Records, further fuelling public suspicion. Naira Marley, who has consistently denied any involvement in the singer’s death, has faced calls for investigation and accountability.
The Lagos State Police Command later set up a special investigative team to probe Mohbad’s death, exhuming the singer’s body for autopsy. As of the time of this report, the final autopsy results are yet to be made public.