A magistrate court in the Yaba area of Lagos State has remanded Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry.
The duo will remain in custody for 21 days.
The Lagos State Police Command had sought a 30-day remand for Fashola and the others to complete their ongoing investigation.
However, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun ruled that a 21-day remand would suffice.
Nigerian rapper, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has said he would turn himself in to be investigated over allegations linking him to the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad if the security agencies can guarantee his safety.
LEADING REPORTERS recalls that there have been calls for Naira Marley to be investigated over Mohbad’s death for allegedly sponsoring hoodlums to bully and threaten the late singer after he exited his record label, Marlian Music controversially in 2022.
Speaking in an interview with Reno Omokri on Wednesday night, Naira Marley said he was ready to submit himself for investigations on the condition that his safety is guaranteed.
He said he has been out of the country since August 31, 2023, and only found out about Mohbad’s death on social media.
He said, “I was out of Nigeria from the 31st of August. I’ve been with my family up till date. I haven’t been to Nigeria [since then] that’s one.
“Two, He [Mohbad] has left Marlian Music since… I don’t know the particular date but since 2022, he has left Marlian Music. We’ve not stopped him from dropping music or anything. He has been working with one PR [firm] or something like that ever since.
“So, when I heard about his death, it was shocking to me. I was out of the country as well. So, I have to find out what was wrong with him just as much as everybody is trying to find out. So, I’m just finding out what was wrong with him online. I’m seeing all the lies too. But we’ve to focus on the fact that: who was he with? How did he die?
“If you’re blaming me, how did I kill him? I have nothing to do with his death or whatsoever. I was so hurt when I heard that. I’ve nothing whatsoever to do with his death.”
Naira Marley added: “I am willing to return to Nigeria to answer questions if the police can guarantee my safety.
“I don’t belong to any cult. I don’t know what a cult is. I have been running away from all these people. I’m actually anti-cult.”
The police have launched an investigation into Mohbad’s demise.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said he has also invited the Department of State Services to join the investigation.
Nigeria’s bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Benin Republic has been dashed.
This follows the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the rights to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
CAF also confirmed Morocco will host the 2025 edition.
The Lagos State Police Command has given an update on the autopsy being conducted on the remains of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the autopsy was carried out by best forensic pathologists in the country.
In a post on his verified X handle, the command’s spokesman revealed that family members of the late singer were present during the autopsy.
The PPRO debunked rumour that the process may be hijacked by some unscrupulous individuals who would not want the singer to get justice.
He urged Nigerians to remain calm while the result of the autopsy is being awaited.
He wrote, “As assured by the CP, the autopsy was promptly carried out by some of the best forensic pathologists in the country, in the presence of family members.
“While we await the result, we urge everyone to remain calm and confident in the process.
“There is absolutely no underhand dealing, as feared by some concerned persons. In the meantime, other aspects of the investigation are progressing well.”
Popular rapper Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike aka Phyno has said during his wee days as a struggling artiste he was advised to join a cult or engage in ritual if he wished to succeed in his career.
According to him, he’s never been a believer of ‘quick success’ but one who’d rather consistently put in hard work to achieve his goals.
He stated this while counselling up-and-coming artistes on ditch desperation and the so-called ‘easy’ road to success but to rather strive genuinely to attain it.
Following the death of MohBad and the controversies surrounding the unfortunate event, the discourse about artistes desperation for success, being signed to record labels that exploits and subjects them all forms of maltreatment when they attempt leaving has continued to gain waves online.
Ezege, as the rap star is also fondly called, advised young artistes to checkmate their thirst for quick success, be weary of signing with just any record label out of desperation regardless of their the terms and conditions which most times are unfavourable to the artistes.
He explained when some of these label bosses sense desperation in these young talents, they capitalise on it and take undue advantage of them; making them sign contracts that’ll be to their detriment one way or another.
“Some people look at us today and think we got it easy, Not at all”, said the Igbo rap act.
“Infact I’ve never loved easy things. Before many people heard of Phyno, I’ve had songs that no one knew exist.
“A couple of friends told me to blow, I must join a cult or sacrifice something or someone, I told him the price is too much. I’ll never do such.
“I believed in myself and the power of hard work, I started little and today I thank God.
“Young talents need to relax, do not be desperate about record deals or being on the spotlight. Keep working, when it’s time you’ll sjjjke.
“Imagine begging a label to sign you, what kind of terms will they give you? They already know you are desperate and they will use you.
“At the beginning you might not see it but give it time, you’ll regret it. Nothing pays more than hard work and consistency.”
Oba Ewulomi, a prophet, has claimed that he can wake the late Nigerian musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, alias Mohbad.
According to the report, Mohbad died under dubious circumstances on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day.
After a huge outcry for a comprehensive investigation into his unexpected death, his body was unearthed for autopsy.
According to the police, the body was deposited at the mortuary following an autopsy.
Now, Prophet Ewulomi has sought access to the singer’s body, planning to raise him from the dead.
Speaking in a mixture of English and Yoruba in a video making the rounds on X, the prophet insisted that “Mohbad can still live again.”
He said, “Promise Imole Mohbad can still live again. Give me access to his corpse and I will wake him up. Yes.”
Tunde Bakare, lead pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, has reacted to the death of afrobeats musician, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka MohBad.
Speaking at a church event in Leicester, UK, on Sunday September 24, Pastor Bakare alleged that late MohBad was associating with evil people while he was alive.
The cleric maintained that Mohbad reaped the reward of his actions while alive.
The cleric maintained that Mohbad reaped the reward of his actions while alive.
While speaking on the theme, ‘Harvest’, Bakare said: “My wife and I listened to a tape last night on MohBad. How many of you know MohBad? The Nigerian artiste who died at 27? MohBad.
“When he was drinking and smoking and associating with evil men, he did not know that the harvest would come so soon and that he would soon be cut down at the prime of youth. I am not blaming him, I am just telling you. Is MohBad a good name? MohBad,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigerians and fans of late MohBad are awaiting the result of the autopsy conducted on his body by a team of pathologists in Lagos last week.
There is confusion surrounding the donation of N15 million to the son of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba, aka MohBad.
In a post on Thursday on X, Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media Olusegun Dada posted a photo of receipt of the donation Seyi, first son of President Bola Tinubu, made to Mohbad’s son.
He captioned it, “The figurative apple that did not fall far from the tree #RIPIMOLE. Thank you ST.”
However, the post was pulled down a few hours later, with no explanation given.
After he took down the post, social media influencer, Japhet Omojuwa, put up a lengthy post on Twitter, denying that Seyi made the donation.
“Seyi Tinubu didn’t donate N15m to Mohbad’s kid or family. I would know, because I have been discussing with him on the issue for several days.
“Bell Schmurda mentioned Seyi in a tweet and I immediately forwarded it to him. The same way I have forwarded tweets around policy interventions to him and he’s gone ahead to help advance causes. When I know the source of the relevant tweet, I message them to let them know I am helping to push the matter. This time, he called me and asked what he could do. I shared my thoughts.
“I said not to get sucked into the social media thing because whatever he said or did would be politicised. I then went on to say, irrespective of that, we should prioritise his family, especially his kid. He said he’d commit to the kid’s education and also support the wife immediately. But we also knew there was still a danger of that getting used against him politically – that’s the world we now live in. It is what it is, it’s why one can only move the best way one can.
“I sent a message to one of my friends in the industry who himself has also been involved with the Mohbad issue – without making any social media noise whilst getting dragged for not tweeting lol.
“Without knowing what I had shared with Seyi, he also advised to hold on. That he would do the necessary connections when it is convenient to do so without appearing to be getting in the way of anything. Any rational person wouldn’t need an explanation for the hesitations around the issue. It’s the intersection of a criminal matter and social media narratives.
“I’d ordinarily ignore these things. I have come to know that for all its power and essence, some things cannot be done by tweeting.
“Just to be clear, the N15m making the rounds that Seyi donated is not true. My position is obvious – if you can comprehend what you read – I was involved with him on this matter from the get go.
“And if you want to know how he is ultimately supporting the kid and the wife, I don’t think that’s my business to say. And frankly speaking, I don’t think it matters. That’s left for those who received what to say.
“This post was made for those who need clarity on the matter. Love and light to every sensible person out here. And especially everyone who genuinely care about Mohbad, his memory, family and his legacy. Including those not doing social media posts.
“Rest in peace Mohbad. As we stay in pursuit of justice, it is my hope that the kid he left behind gets all the support he needs, long after social media moves to the next thing. Because it will.”
The president’s son is yet to speak on the issue.
Police authorities in Lagos State have exhumed the remains of singer Mohbad and are set to begin autopsy.
The singer died last week in unclear circumstances with Nigerians protesting and calling for justice for Mohbad.
While the rapper, known officially as Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, was buried less than a day after his death, the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said Mohbad’s remains have been exhumed.
Exhumation completed. Autopsy to commence. #JusticeForMohad #Justice4Mohbad
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) September 21, 2023
“Exhumation completed. Autopsy to commence,” he tweeted on Thursday afternoon, days after the police began a probe into the death of the former Naira Marley signee.
More to follow…
Nigerian gospel singer Busola Oke has stirred reactions online after publicly accusing her former record label boss, Gbenga Adewusi, of depriving her of her earnings.
She made these allegations on her Instagram page, coincidentally following the passing of singer Mohbad, who had been a notable voice in the music industry.
Oke alleged that Gbenga Adewusi, a veteran music producer and promoter, took control of her music income after she rejected his sexual advances.
She claimed that her financial situation deteriorated due to the label’s actions, forcing her to sell her assets because she refused to become part of a group of women under his influence.
In her social media posts, Oke expressed strong anger towards Gbenga Adewusi, asserting that she could have achieved significant wealth and recognition if not for what she described as his lust and greed.
She revealed that she was rendered broke by the label and was compelled to sell her assets because she refused to be part of his harems of women.
Laying curses on him, she noted how she would have achieved substantial wealth and recognition if not for his lust and greed.
