Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has officially issued a statement denying any complicity in the mysterious death of his former signee and protege, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka MohBad.
Naira Marley is the owner of Marlin Records where MohBad was signed on before they had a falling out leading to controversies and insinuations that he had a hand in the death of the youngster.
The singer, who is currently out of the country, announced on social media his intention to return to Nigeria in order to cooperate with the police in ongoing investigation into the tragic death of his former protege.
In a statement released by his management on his official Instagram account, Naira Marley expressed his sadness at the demise of MohBad, whom he said he considered not just a former signee but also a brother and a member of his musical family.
He further lamented what he termed a “barrage of false stories and threats directed at him in the wake of this tragedy.”
“In the last few days, there has been a lot of onslaught on my person and reputation globally over the death of my former signee,” the statement read.
“All manner of stories have been woven against me in respect of his untimely death. I have not only been in shock over the death of the deceased whom I considered to be my brother and member of our music family, but over the various lies spread and threats against me.”
The Marlin label owner went on to disclose that he had no hand in the tragic death of MohBad, either directly or indirectly.
He acknowledged that though they had “disagreements which are common in the music industry, even among close associates,” their differences were never as extreme as some people had portrayed.
He added that they were in the process of legally resolving their business disputes before MohBad’s passing.
“My decision to remain silent until now was because of the emotional distress I have been passing through over the loss of MohBad and my desire not to compromise the ongoing investigation,” he said.