Popular Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, has called on the Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, to probe Omowunmi, the wife of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, along with 14 others who were reportedly present at his residence 48 to 72 hours before his death.
Naira Marley made this plea during a virtual testimony before Ms. T.A. Shotobi of the Coroner’s Court on Friday. His lawyer, Olusola Okuwobi, disclosed this in a statement sent to PUNCH Metro on Sunday.
According to Okuwobi, Naira Marley testified that he was out of the country when Mohbad tragically passed away on September 12, 2023. The singer also denied having any animosity toward his former signee before his death.
The statement read: “Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, testified before the court virtually, giving his precise and succinct testimony. He further stated that he had no animosity towards Mohbad before his death. He urged the coroner to investigate Omowunmi and the 14 others present at the house 48 to 72 hours before the unfortunate passing of the singer.”
Naira Marley also accused those who were with Mohbad in his final hours of attempting to divert attention from the case by circulating an old video, despite knowing that the late singer had already apologized and been forgiven before leaving Marlian Music.
Meanwhile, a group of Nigerians in the diaspora, under the banner of The Concerned Nigeria Citizens in Diaspora, has also called for a re-investigation into the case. The group, through its spokesperson, Victoria Janolewsky-Peters, urged the Nigeria Police Force to interrogate Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, his wife, Omowunmi, and others present at the late singer’s home.
“We urge the officers of the Nigeria Police, homicide section, to look into the direction Naira Marley has pointed at during his testimony under oath,” the statement read. “It is important that the police invite and question Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, as well as his wife, Omowunmi, who has given multiple contradictory accounts of what happened.”
Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Music, had in the past accused Naira Marley and his associate, Samson Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry, of orchestrating attacks against him. However, on February 25, the court acquitted Naira Marley, Sam Larry, music promoter Samson Balogun (also known as Primeboy), and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde, of any wrongdoing.
When contacted for a response, Omowunmi’s lawyer, Taiwo Olawanle, requested a text message but had yet to reply as of the time of filing this report.
Mohbad’s death at the age of 27 remains a highly debated issue, with calls for justice continuing to grow both locally and internationally.
