- By Yūsuf Akínpẹ̀lú
- BBC Information, Lagos
Picture supply, Adedayo Okedare/BBC
With feelings working excessive, MohBad followers – some seen right here in Ibadan – need solutions to their questions over his demise
Tons of of followers of Afrobeats star MohBad, who died final week, took to the streets of Ibadan and Asaba in Nigeria to demand justice.
This follows related protests and an outpouring of grief in different cities throughout southern Nigeria this week.
The 27-year-old singer, actual title Ilerioluwa Aloba, died in a hospital in Lagos. The precise circumstances of his demise haven’t been made public.
The Lagos State governor has promised an intensive investigation.
On Tuesday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted that he had invited the nation’s secret police to assist discover out what occurred to MohBad, asking anybody with info to come back ahead – however urging his followers to chorus from doing so. inflammatory statements.
A particular investigation staff has been arrange and the singer’s physique is to be exhumed for post-mortem.
The hashtag #justiceformohbad has been trending on X, previously referred to as Twitter, for the reason that musician’s demise on Tuesday September 12.
With feelings working excessive, some tributes recommended the singer had been the sufferer of bullying throughout the music business.
The outrage has been significantly directed at his former boss, Naira Marley, with whom he had fallen out following his break up from the Nigerian musician’s label – Marlian Data – final yr.
Naira Marley himself additionally known as for an intensive investigation into MohBad’s demise and pledged to assist “uncover any felony acts or injustice.”
Picture supply, Adedayo Okedare/BBC
Marches demanding justice for MohBad passed off throughout southern Nigeria
The singer, who additionally known as himself “Imole” – the Yoruba phrase for mild, was married with a five-month-old son.
He started making a reputation for himself in 2019 via his streetwise, typically lewd and relatable lyrics. Followers cherished his distinctive baritone voice – he was greatest identified for his hit singles KPK (Ko Por Ke) and Ponmo, which featured musicians Lil Kesh and Naira Marley.
He labored at Marlian Data for about two years, serving to it reside as much as its fame for recruiting rebellious mavericks when his Lagos residence was raided by anti-drug brokers in February 2022.
He and different musicians have been present in possession of the drug MDA and hashish, however they weren’t charged.
After falling out with Marlian Data, he claimed his excursions have been intentionally sabotaged – typically canceled on the final minute by organizers.
In June, he filed a criticism with Lagos police, alleging that Samson Balogun, a music promoter referred to as Sam Larry, led a gaggle of armed males to interrupt the filming of a video. MohBad claimed he was attacked and a few of his tools was destroyed.
Mr Balogun has denied the allegation and police say MohBad by no means pursued the matter. The music promoter has since reiterated that he was not concerned, saying he and the singer have been on good phrases.
Movies of MohBad’s complaints about his relationship with Marlian Data have resurfaced since his demise, sparking an outpouring of grief and calls from his followers to be taught extra about how he died.
Along with organizing marches in southern Nigeria, they donated to a fund established by MohBad’s colleagues for his son Imole.
His followers on social media say related protests are deliberate in Kenya’s capital Nairobi and London, United Kingdom.
