Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has addressed the recent release of private conversations between herself and renowned singer Naira Marley, which have been circulating online.
The leaked chats come after a public disagreement between the two regarding the controversial death of singer Mohbad on September 12, 2023.
Following Mohbad’s death, many pointed fingers at Naira Marley, the leader of Marlian Music, accusing him of being involved in the singer’s struggles and eventual demise.
Iyabo Ojo, a vocal advocate for justice for Mohbad, played a prominent role in speaking out against the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
She publicly accused Naira Marley and his associate Sam Larry of being involved in Mohbad’s troubles. The actress participated in protests, gave interviews, and criticized Naira Marley on social media for his perceived lack of action.
In the shared chat messages, Iyabo Ojo invited Naira Marley to several of her events, including a memorial for her late mother, and asked for his support for her adopted son, who is pursuing a music career.
Responding quickly on Instagram, Iyabo Ojo acknowledged the leaked conversations.
The actress, known as the “Mummy of Lagos,” stated that she has long supported many artists, including Naira Marley.
She recalled how, in 2020, Naira Marley’s team reached out to her via her son, Festus, to promote one of his songs.
Naira Marley later thanked her personally for her support and was also invited to her movie premiere and her mother’s funeral service.
Iyabo Ojo clarified that while she never accused Naira Marley of being responsible for Mohbad’s death, she had spoken out against the injustice surrounding the case.
“Naira Marley recently shared our old chats, and I’d like to address some points,” she wrote.
She further explained, “As a TikTok influencer, I’ve helped many artists, including Naira Marley. His team contacted me through my son in 2020, and I promoted his song. Naira Marley thanked me in a DM, and I invited him to my movie premiere and my mother’s burial party.”
The actress emphasized her long-standing support for young artists, stating that she has assisted them in promoting their music, introducing them to producers, and offering spaces for shows.
She mentioned specific cases, like Fabian, who was signed by Naira Marley but left due to personal reasons, and her nephew, whose musical style didn’t align with Marley’s label.
However, Iyabo Ojo’s dispute with Naira Marley arose after disturbing allegations surfaced regarding Mohbad’s bullying by Sam Larry, a close associate of Naira Marley.
She pointed out that her criticism of Naira Marley was due to his failure to intervene in the situation. “I never accused him of killing Mohbad, but the situation suggested Mohbad’s life was under threat,” she said.
She also hinted at other disturbing allegations involving Naira Marley, stating that they would be addressed in court if necessary.
“I will not ignore injustice, even if it involves someone I’m close to. I interact with many celebrities via DM, including Vice Versa, and I won’t hesitate to speak out against injustice,” she concluded, addressing Naira Marley directly: “If you thought I would stay silent, you were mistaken.”
(Prompt news)