In the world of justice, the age-old adage "Innocent until proven guilty" holds sway. However, in the era of social media, it seems that this fundamental principle often gets lost in the noise. Ever since the tragic news of the death of former Marlian Records artist Mohbad surfaced, a cacophony of voices, some well-intentioned but many driven by ulterior motives, has risen to prominence.
It is undisputably heartbreaking to witness the untimely departure of a young and talented individual like Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, before he could fully realize his potential. Equally disheartening is the fact that some opportunistic individuals, masquerading as seekers of justice, are capitalizing on his demise, often without genuine compassion for the deceased or an understanding of the struggles he faced.
It is true that some were privy to the inner workings of the Marlian Empire but chose to remain silent, possibly due to their moral dilemmas, realizing that they were not so different from the very person they now champion for crucifixion.
Naira Marley's reputation has never been one of pristine virtue. A man who once boasted of being arrested and jailed 127 times during his Peckham days in the UK, where he grew up, cannot be easily characterized as a model citizen.
When he decided to venture into the music industry, he did not choose a career in law or medicine, for some reason. Instead, he chose music, and many embraced him for it, despite the explicit themes that often permeated his art.
When Naira Marley signed Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, a.k.a. Mohbad, his intentions were clear: to nurture the young artist's musical talent and to benefit from their partnership.
Contrary to the narrative going around social media, Marlian Records, like any other record label, is a business venture, not a charity. Beyond shared values, Mohbad and Naira Marley had an employer-employee relationship. Naira Marley invested in Mohbad with the expectation of returns.
Somewhere along the way, something went awry, and the details remain shrouded in mystery, exacerbated by Mohbad's untimely demise.
It is not unprecedented for artists to part ways with their labels, whether amicably or amid acrimony. Examples abound, though when dealing with a label like Marlian Records, characterized by streetwise individuals and founded on unorthodox principles, exiting may not be as straightforward as submitting a resignation letter. Mohbad faced consequences due to his association, but no one deserves to lose their life in such a manner.
The crucial question remains: Is there any concrete evidence implicating Naira Marley in Mohbad's demise? The unequivocal answer is "No."
To date, no tangible evidence, whether in the form of audio or video, has surfaced to suggest that Naira Marley personally and physically harmed Mohbad. We have witnessed individuals acting in allegiance to their leader, defending the honor of their "emperor." Naira Marle has referred to his fans as his "Empire," subtly positioning himself as the emperor of this unique realm. He possessed the music, the voice, the wealth, and the fame, captivating the hearts of Nigerians. He embodied the unrestrained expression of our deepest desires and the facets of ourselves we seldom reveal to the world.
Now, it seems his "Empire" may be turning against him, with many demanding justice for the tragic loss of Mohbad. Yet, despite the fervor, these developments do not conclusively implicate Naira Marley in the young artist's demise.
In times like these, when emotions run high, and sensationalism prevails, it is crucial to remember the principle of "Innocent until proven guilty." While the investigation into Mohbad's passing unfolds, we must exercise patience and allow the justice to preveal and reveal the truth.