Mohbad: Court Dismisses Case Against Naira Marley, Sam Larry

A Lagos State High Court has ruled that the Lagos State Government cannot be compelled to prosecute Nigerian music executive Naira Marley and show promoter Sam Larry in connection with the controversial death of fast-rising singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Olatokun at the High Court in Ikeja on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, followed a legal application filed by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba. The application sought to challenge the legal advice previously issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), which cleared Marley and Larry of any criminal responsibility in the singer’s death.

Justice Olatokun emphasized that the Attorney General of Lagos State has absolute discretion under the law to determine whether or not to initiate criminal proceedings and that this power cannot be questioned or overridden by the court.

Reacting to the ruling, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wahab Shittu, counsel to the Aloba family, confirmed that the family would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal. He reiterated that the family’s motive is not to indict anyone unjustly but to pursue justice for Mohbad, whose sudden death on September 12, 2023, sparked nationwide protests and social media outrage.

In an earlier ruling in February 2024, the Yaba Magistrate Court also cleared Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and Owodunni Ibrahim (popularly known as Primeboy) of any wrongdoing in the singer’s death, relying on the legal advice from the DPP.

Others exonerated included Opere Babatunde, Mohbad’s former manager. However, two individuals were indicted by the DPP: Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the auxiliary nurse who administered treatment to Mohbad before his death, and Ayobami Sadiq, a close associate of the singer. Both are scheduled to face trial at the Magistrate Court for reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251(e) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Mohbad, who was just 27 at the time of his death, was a former signee of Marlian Records, owned by Naira Marley. Prior to his passing, the singer had publicly alleged harassment and threats to his life, prompting fans and human rights activists to demand a thorough investigation.