When Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad) died in September 2023, the Nigerian entertainment industry was shaken to its core. The rising star’s passing sparked protests, hashtags, and public outcry, with many pointing fingers at his former record label boss, Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley).

For months, Marley remained silent. When he eventually spoke, he denied any wrongdoing and expressed sadness over Mohbad’s death. But why did it take so long for him to speak?

Here are six key reasons why Naira Marley delayed addressing Mohbad’s death.

1. Naira Marley and Ongoing Police Investigations

NAIRA MARLEY APPEARS BEFORE THE NIGERIA POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION

Shortly after Mohbad’s death, the Nigeria Police Force launched an official investigation. According to Vanguard, statements were being taken from friends, family, and associates, while an autopsy was ordered to uncover the cause of death.

In such sensitive cases, legal advisers often caution high-profile individuals to remain silent to avoid being misquoted or implicating themselves. For Marley, whose name was already trending in the controversy, making premature comments could have interfered with the investigation or worsened his legal standing. This alone explains why his camp maintained silence initially.

2. Naira Marley’s Fear of Public Backlash 

Public emotions were running high at the time. Hashtags like #JusticeForMohbad dominated social media, with many demanding that Marley and his associates be arrested. Some even called for Marlian Music to be boycotted entirely.

According to Pulse Nigeria, the atmosphere was so heated that any statement from Marley might have been instantly dismissed or attacked. His delay, therefore, can be seen as a survival strategy  waiting until the outrage cooled down slightly before presenting his side of the story.

3. Naira Marley and His Personal Grief

Although Mohbad had left Marlian Music on controversial terms, Marley still described him as “family.” Losing a young talent he once mentored may have left him shaken as well.

“His death pained me too, and I can only pray for peace,” Marley said in a later interview.

Sometimes silence is not just about strategy; it can also be about processing emotions. Many industry watchers believe Marley may have taken his time because he needed to handle the shock privately before going public.

4. How Naira Marley Used Strategic Image Control

6 Reasons Why Naira Marley Delayed Speaking on Mohbad’s Death

In today’s music industry, image is everything. According to entertainment analysts cited by Channels TV, Marley’s silence was a calculated move to avoid a reactive or emotional statement that could harm his brand further.

By waiting for the dust to settle, he had the opportunity to release a carefully worded response, portraying himself not as an enemy but as someone who also wanted justice. In an industry where public opinion can make or break a career, Marley’s choice to delay speaking was likely influenced by brand management strategies.

5. Timing and Need for Closure

NAIRA MARLEY AND MOHBAD

Timing often shapes narratives. Speaking too early could have made Marley look defensive, while waiting gave him the chance to appear thoughtful and reflective.

When he finally spoke, it wasn’t just a quick reaction  it came after investigations had progressed and after other industry figures had shared their thoughts. This allowed Marley’s comments to be positioned as part of a wider conversation rather than as a desperate attempt to clear his name.

By controlling the timing, he ensured that his words would carry more weight and not get lost in the initial noise.

6. Public Pressure Forced Naira Marley to Speak

Perhaps the final push for Marley to speak came from the sustained pressure of public figures, especially within Nollywood. Actress Iyabo Ojo became one of the most vocal campaigners for justice, openly challenging Marley to explain his side of the story.

iyabo Ojo’s activism amplified public suspicion, keeping Marley’s name in the headlines for weeks. This mounting pressure likely contributed to his eventual decision to address the matter publicly, as ignoring it indefinitely would only deepen the controversy.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why Naira Marley kept quiet for so long about Mohbad’s death  from police investigations, fear of backlash, personal pain, to the pressure coming from the public. His silence made people wonder if he was hiding something.

But just yesterday, Naira Marley finally released a video where he spoke about what really happened between him and Mohbad. In the video, he showed proof like WhatsApp chats and private conversations to defend himself and explain his side of the story.

“All I want is for the truth to come out and for Mohbad’s soul to rest in peace,” Marley said.

Mohbad’s death is still one of the saddest stories in Nigeria’s music industry, and with this new video, the matter will continue to be talked about for a long time.

WATCH THE VIDEO