Entertainment

Mohbad: I’ll return to Nigeria to clear my name, says Naira Marley

Published

8 months ago

September 26, 2023

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Singer Naira Marley says he is making arrangements to return to Nigeria to assist the ongoing investigation into the death of Mohbad.

Mohbad, the former Marlian Records signee, died on September 12 and was buried the next day.

Marley, the Marlian Records head huncho, is one of the persons of interest in the death of Mohbad.

In a lengthy statement shared on his Instagram handle on Tuesday evening, Marley said he has been “out of the country since August 31, 2023”.

He said he will honour the police invitation and fully cooperate with investigation by “giving my version of the events”.

Marley also insisted that “I have no hand in Mohbad’s death” and “certainly have no reason to be a fugitive”.

Full statement below:

“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.

“All manner of stories has 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.

“Before I progress further, let me say that as it is traumatic for a lot of people to bear the reality of Ileri’s death, so it is to me.

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“May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Permit me to categorically state that I have no hand in the death of Ilerioluwa, either directly or indirectly.

“It is not unusual in the industry, just like in several other industries to have family friction, even amongst blood relatives. Truly, we had our own share of misunderstandings whilst working together, but the disagreement between us was never to the extent being painted by some hirelings.

“It never degenerated to the extent of wishing each other death. Even at that, we were resolving our business disputes legally before he had passed.

“I have chosen no to say anything since due to being distraught over his dean and in order not to jeopardize the investigation being carried out by the government agencies.

“In addition, I have been out of the country since the 31st of August, 2023 and I’m yet to return.

“In light of the police invitation, I am making arrangements to return to the country to assist the investigation and give my version of the events.

“I am fully cooperating with the Police team and I certainly have no reason to be a fugitive when I have no hand in his death.

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“I am certain that the culprit behind his death and has a vendetta against me and are fueling public opinions to have me lynched for reasons known to them.

“In due time the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death will be unveiled and the world will know the truth. This kind of scenario of attempting to set someone up is not novel in the industry as other great musicians have experienced the same and came out better and stronger. Mine will not be an exception as I am innocent of the accusations.

“Mohbad left the label in September 2022, the label accepted his departure. Marlian Music did not stop or interfere with his career or releases since and he has been with oneRPM.

“Legal efforts were made to reconcile his concerns regarding the work we had done together.

“The rumors regarding the label being a drug cartel are untrue. I am not a drug lord, neither do I Marley belong to any cult or fraternity. I’m dedicated to proving my innocence and I’m cooperating with the authorities to clear my name with sufficient evidence.

“Marlian Music is an independent label run by a small intimate team. We run a legitimate label that focuses on championing exceptional talent, breaking new acts and nurturing them.

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“I will like to clearly state that I have never fought or attacked Mohbad. For the avoidance of doubt I have never instructed anyone, friend, known associates or fans to attack, bully or harass Mohbad.

“With regards to the talent on the label, none of our artists ever fought or mistreated Mohbad. I share my deepest condolences to the family.

“Let’s be mindful as we seek justice to focus on supporting the police and authorities with relevant information and evidence surrounding his death so that those responsible will be apprehended. I am positive that at the end of the day, the truth will prevail and I shall be exonerated.

“My lawyers are already in touch with the police and government agencies and will support in every way necessary.

“Without a doubt I will honor his memory and I promise to do right by him and his family.”

The Marlian Record label boss earlier said although they had “disagreements, no harm whatsoever was wished on Mohbad”.

Thousands of Nigerians have demanded justice for Mohbad in nationwide protests.

The Lagos police inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe Mohbad’s death on September 18.

On September 21, the police exhumed Mohbad’s corpse for autopsy and are awaiting the results.

Entertainment

Davido sacks lawyer, Bobo Ajudua

Published

5 days ago

May 17, 2024

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has confirmed that he fired his lawyer and longtime friend, Prince Bobo Ajudua.

The singer confirmed the news on his Instagram story while reacting to a blog post that suggested he sacked Bobo Ajudua, over embezzlement.

Reports emerged that Davido recently sacked his long-term business partner and lawyer for embezzling $370,000.

However, reacting, the singer stated that that wasn’t the case, clarifying that they are still friends even though they are no longer business partners.

Sharing a screenshot of the report via his Instagram account, he wrote: “This was not the case at all! We are still very good friends! In business things evolve and change all the time! Please everyone disregard this narrative.”

What this means is that Bobo has ceased to be one of the point contacts in business dealings with Davido and his record label. The reason for the firing was not specified.

Bobo went to the same secondary school as Davido, where he was his senior, and once co-managed the singer and was part of his music management team.

Bobo who was his lawyer for several years is the only child of alleged serial fraudster, Fred Ajudua and his politician wife, Patricia

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Entertainment

Autopsy couldn’t ascertain cause of Mohbad’s death – Pathologist

Published

6 days ago

May 15, 2024

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The toxicology test carried out on late music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba popularly known as Mohbad revealed that the singer’s cause of death cannot be ascertained.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the coroner’s inquest held in Lagos State on Wednesday.

According to him, the pathologist in charge of the autopsy told the coroner that the deceased’s body had decomposed by the time the test was conducted.

He said, “According to him (pathologist), the cause of death cannot be determined because by the time they conducted the test, the body had decomposed and that it is not possible for them to determine the cause of death.

“So, in summary, he is saying the cause of death cannot be ascertained. When you say the cause of death cannot be ascertained, it means it is suspicious, it is not clear. No particular reason.”

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According to Shittu, the pathologist further stated that the late singer may have died due to a reaction to certain drugs administered to him before he died.

“He went further to say that he does not know whether it is those drugs that led to the death,” he added.

Entertainment

FULL LIST: Wale Ojo, Layi Wasabi win big as ‘Breath of Life’ shines at 2024 AMVCA

Published

1 week ago

May 12, 2024

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Wale Ojo, Kehinde Bankole, Layi Wasabi, and Demola Adedoyin were among the winners at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

The annual event, which recognises outstanding performances in television, film, and entertainment took place on Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Bankole defeated Funke Akindele and Ireti Doyle to clinch the ‘Best Lead Actress’ category.

Ojo won the ‘Best Lead Actor’ category while Demola snagged the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award for their roles in ‘Breath of Life’ respectively.

The award ceremony featured captivating performances from music stars such as Adekunle Gold, Chike, Seyi Sodimu, and Shaffy Bello.

‘Breath of Life’ was the biggest winner of the night, clinching six categories — including ‘Best Lead Actor’, ‘Best Supporting Actor’, ‘Best Supporting Actress’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Sound Design’ and ‘Best Movie’.

Below is the list of winners at the AMVCA 2024:

Best Digital Content

National Treasure – Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
Medical Negligence – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi)
Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) — WINNER
Hello Neighbour – Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina Idoko and Jemima Osunde
The Boyfriend – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo) — WINNER
Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan)
Orisa (Odunlade Adekola)
Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah)

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)

Where The River Divides
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) — WINNER
Wandongwa
Nakupenda
Itifaki

Best Indigenous Language (South Africa)

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Service To Heart
Uncle Limbani
Motshameko O Kotsi — WINNER

Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Grown
Her Dark Past — WINNER
Somewhere in Kole
Full-Time Husband
The 11th Commandment
Mfumukazi

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Slum King — WINNER
Half Open Window
Itura
The Passenger
Magic Room

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

What Will People Say
The Irabors’ Forever After
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) — WINNER
Date My Family Zambia
Royal Qlique (Season 2)

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

The Passenger
Nana Akoto
Apo
Irora Iya — WINNER
Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)

Best Short Film
T’egbon T’aburo
Broken Mask — WINNER
Eighteenth Year
Man and Masquerades
A Place Called Forward

Best Supporting Actor

Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Itele d Icon (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)

Best Supporting Actress

Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)

Best Lead Actor

Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) — WINNER ‎
Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
Marc Zinga (Omen)
Gideon Okeke (Egun)
David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)
Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book)
Adedimeji Lateef (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)

Best Lead Actress

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Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge)
Lucie Debay (Omen)
Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Adaobi L. Dibor (Blood Vessel)
Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
Kehinde Bankole (Adire) — WINNER
Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)

Best Cinematography

MAMI WATA (Lílis Soares)
Blood Vessel (Gideon Chukwu)
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) — WINNER
Breath of Life (Ola Cardoso)
Jagun Jagun – The Warrior (Adeoluwa Owu)
Ijogbon – Chaos (Adekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe)
Omen (Joachim Philippe)

Best Editing

Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere – Earth)
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book) — WINNER
Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)

Best Sound Design
Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
Grey Jones Ossai (Breathe of Life) — WINNER
Grey Jones Ossai (Blood Vessel)
Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)

Best Art Direction

Blood Vessel (Victor Akpan)
Over The Bridge (Abisola Omolade) — WINNER
Breath of Life (Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, Kelechi Odu)
The Black Book (Pat Nebo and Chima Temple)
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Tunji Afolayan)
Mami Wata (C.J Fiery Obasi)
Omen (Eve Martin)

Best Costume Design

Demola Adeyemi (Over The Bridge)
Bolanle Austin Peters, Ituen Basi, Folake Coker and Clement Effanga (Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti)
Lola Awe (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior) — WINNER
Bunmi Demilola Fashina (Mami Wata)
Daniel Obasi (Breath of Life)

Best Makeup

Francesca Otaigbe (Over the Bridge)
Campbell Precious (Mami Wata) — WINNER
Hadizat Gambo (Mojisola)
Hakeem Onilogbo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Feyisayo Oyebisi (A Tribe Called Judah)

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Best Writing TV Series

Skinny Girl in Transit (Season 7)
Wura (Season 2)
Visa on Arrival
MTV Shuga Naija
Volume — WINNER
Masquerades of Aniedo
Slum King

Best Writing in a Movie

Breath of Life (BB Sasore)
Over The Bridge (Tosin Otudeko)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Tunde Babalola) — WINNER
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Adebayo Tijani)
Afamefuna (Anyanwu Sandra Adaora)
A Tribe Called Judah (Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)

Best Documentary

Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? — WINNER
Empalikino (Forgiveness)
The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
Sowing Hope

Best Scripted Series

Volume
Wura (Season 2) — WINNER
Slum King
Itura
Chronicles

Best Unscripted Series

Lol Naija (Season 1)
Nightlife In Lasgidi
The Real Housewives Of Lagos (Season 2)
Gh Queens (Season 2) — WINNER
Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (Season 1)

Best Director

Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)
Adebayo Tijani And Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bb Sasore (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)
C.J Fiery Obasi (MAMI WATA)
Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)
Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)

Best Movie

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Breath of Life — WINNER
Over The Bridge
Blood Vessel
A Tribe Called Judah
The Black Book
MAMI WATA

Trailblazer of the Year

Chimezie Imo
Industry Merit

Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow)
Richard Mofe Damijo