In the wake of the tragic passing of Nigerian rapper Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, a petition has gained significant traction, amassing over 126,000 signatures, calling for the ban of Marlian Music.
Marlian Music, a record label owned by Naira Marley, has come under scrutiny, with accusations of complicity in Mohbad’s demise. This record label is home to artists like CBlvck, Zinoleesky, and Fabian Blu.
“I’m heartbroken 💔” – Naira Marley pays tribute to his former record label signee, Mohbad. Comments are disabled. 💐#nairamarley #mohbad pic.twitter.com/bvH0ZqSTBJ
— Blinkscoop Official (@Blinkscoop1) September 15, 2023
The petition, titled “Ban Marlian Music,” was initiated by the Gistlover blog and has gained substantial support since its inception on Friday.
The petition alleges that Marlian Records operates as a drug syndicate masquerading as a music record label. It has become a trending topic on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.
Campaigners claim that Marlian Records recruits young individuals and is involved in drug-related activities. They also highlight the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s untimely death and the alleged involvement of individuals such as Sam Larry and Naira Marley.
Naira Marley played a pivotal role in Mohbad’s rise to fame in 2019, acting as both a benefactor and mentor. Their collaboration resulted in Mohbad’s debut EP, “Light,” featuring notable artists like Davido, Naira Marley, and Lil Kesh. Naira Marley also served as the executive producer for this EP.
However, their partnership faced challenges in October 2022, with Mohbad expressing concerns for his safety. In response, Mohbad ventured into establishing his own record label, “Imolenization,” in November 2022, demonstrating his determination to assert independence.
Mohbad, aged 27, tragically passed away and was laid to rest in Ikorodu, Lagos State. He was known for his streetwise and relatable lyrics that often touched on everyday life experiences.
Controversies surrounded Mohbad’s death, as he had an ongoing feud with his former boss, Naira Marley, following his departure from Marlian Record in 2022.
In response to public outcry and allegations, the Nigerian Police released a statement reaffirming their commitment to a thorough investigation into Mohbad’s mysterious death. A petition dated June 27 implicated Sam Larry and 15 others in forcibly entering a video shoot location where Mohbad and fellow artist Zlatan Ibile were present. Sam Larry purportedly claimed to be working for the Oba Elegushi of Lagos State.
The petition also alleged a violent altercation that resulted in the destruction of equipment worth over N8 million and left Mohbad, who narrowly escaped with injuries, assaulted.
Despite these allegations, the late singer failed to appear at the police station to substantiate his petition and provide evidence of the allegations, hindering the police’s ability to pursue necessary actions against the suspects.
