Nigerian singer Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has called on the court to investigate Omowunmi, the wife of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, along with 14 others who were with him 48 to 72 hours before his death.
Naira Marley made this plea via a virtual testimony before the Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Friday. His legal representative, Olusola Okuwobi, confirmed this in a statement sent to PUNCH Metro on Sunday.
According to the statement, the singer, who was out of the country at the time of Mohbad’s passing, denied having any animosity toward the deceased.
“Naira Marley testified that at the time of Mohbad’s unfortunate death, he was out of the country,” the statement read. “He further stated that he had no animosity towards Mohbad before his death. He urged the coroner to look beyond the suspects presented by the police and social media and instead interrogate Omowunmi and the 14 others who were present at the house before his passing.”
The singer also accused those who were with Mohbad before his death of attempting to mislead the public by circulating an old video. He noted that they were aware that the deceased had previously apologized for the video and had been forgiven before leaving the Marlian Music record label.
Calls for Re-Investigation
Meanwhile, a group of Nigerians in the diaspora, under the banner Concerned Nigerian Citizens in Diaspora, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to reopen the investigation into Mohbad’s death.
In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Victoria Janolewsky-Peters, they called for a thorough probe into the individuals present at Mohbad’s residence, including his brother, Adura Aloba.
“We urge the homicide section of the Nigeria Police to look into the direction Naira Marley has pointed at during his testimony under oath,” the statement read. “We believe that it is important for the police to invite and interrogate Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, and his wife, Omowunmi, who was responsible for his well-being and has given multiple contradictory accounts of what happened, as well as other persons present at his home.”
Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. Prior to his death, the former Marlian Music signee had publicly alleged being assaulted by gangs linked to his former boss, Naira Marley, and music promoter Samson Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry.
A Lagos court, however, acquitted Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy), and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde, on February 25.
When contacted for a response, Omowunmi’s lawyer, Taiwo Olawanle, requested a text message but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.
