JUSTICE FOR MOHBAD'S, DOES HE DESERVES IT?

By: Edema Adeyinka Bose

The demise of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely recognized as Mohbad, a renowned singer, rapper, composer, and performer, was widely acknowledged worldwide by his fanbase, including a significant number of followers who discovered his work after his passing. Mohbad's music career gained prominence a few years after he showcased multiple impromptu performances on various social media platforms, notably his rendition of Kizz Daniel's song, which significantly helped to his rise to stardom.

Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (MohBad)

The question in the minds of many people is: who killed Mohad? In some quarters, it was reported that it was Naira Marley and Sam Larry who bullied him to death. Bloggers like Gistlover and some prominent artists like Iyabo Ojo believed it was Naira Marley and Sam Larry who killed him, while others said it was his friend Primeboy who got him killed. However, the question is: does Mohbad deserve justice?

To me, I will say yes. No man deserves an untimely death or to be the victim of another person's murder, regardless of his sin. Before Mohbad joined Naira Marley`s record, he had been singing and had gained some recognition for himself. According to news from The Nation online newspaper, it was reported that Mohbad entered into a contract with Naira Marley's record company and made his first public appearance at the Marlian feast, which took place at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 31, 2019. However, Aloba departed from the label in 2022, stating many complaints, such as the non-payment of royalties throughout his three-year period with the label.

As we know, it is the dream of every up-and-coming musician to be known worldwide; therefore, the desire to join any prestigious record label becomes higher. I will think this is part of the motivation that led Mohbad to join Naira Marley's record company. For his fame and money, it is a twisted story of fate. We only know the beginning of any journey, and nobody can actually dictate how it will end.

Mohbad was never a saint; in one of his popular songs, he sang a song titled "Sorry." 

“"Sorry"

“This kind life e tire me

Daddy no get salary

Ten years I no see money

Step mother no care

Landlord e dey worry

My brothers are hungry

Daddy gather money make I go poly

I go poly but I no go class daddy I am sorry

I don dey do Yahoo

I don dey chop banku

Omo pastor ni woti aye

Mummy just dey pray

Daddy just dey pray for me

Make e better for me

Me I no go school

Only thing I fit do

Music me I choose

This kind life e tire me

Eshi biri biri ke bo mi o

Iwaju loloko yi wamilo eyi laleko iwonilo yo yo yo

Eshi biri biri ke bo mi o

Iwaju loloko yi wamilo eyi laleko iwonilo yo yo yo”

This lyrics shows the kind of person he was and the type of things he himself has been enaging, and according to Proverbs 11:21, “Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.” One way we can say he suffered for the sins he committed is that the Nigerian constitution did not recognise that, which is why bloggers likeGist Lovers;Linda Ikeji's blog, thecitizen.co.tz, and some famous personalities like Iyabo Ojo, etc. believed that Naira Marley and Sam Larry killed Mohbad. 

However, his sudden departure has also exposed numerous unpleasant issues that had long been swept under the rug in the Nigerian music scene. When Mohbad was alive, struggling to establish himself in the country’s music scene, he often went unnoticed, considered by many as a nobody. He faced ridicule, attacks, underestimation, and ignorance from both society and the music industry. But labelling his records “imolenization” after leaving Marlian Record Label, he began shedding light on the injustices that plague our nation.

Furthermore, some of his lyrics, especially in Ìmole, reveal Mohbad’s possible experiences of overwhelming situations in the industry. In the song “Peace,” Mohbad expressed his struggles, singing, “Wetin be this one like this, been through many many things, many many gist, but I still find my peace.” Despite the realities he encoded in his lyrics, he was convinced that he was the ‘Ìmole’, a light amidst his challenging times. He offered heartfelt prayers for himself, his fans, family, and all those going through tough moments, praying to God with these words: “Cold drink for the thirsty, food for the hungry, additional strength for the lazy, payday for all my ‘Niggas’ who hustle, shine your light on me so the world can see the glory... I am the light, and I want to shine across the world.”

In Mohbad’s case, he rebelled, becoming a marked man, a dead man walking. The most poignant part is that, like the old legends, he sang his unreleased dirge, which surfaced online, foretelling his own death in the song, leaving fans grieving through his lyrics. The lines preempted Mohbad’s thoughts about the future, contemplating what others would say about him after he was gone.

Whatever it may be, the young man deserves justice because the circumstances that led to his death are too uncalled for, and the Nigeira police are doing a great job already. It is only God who can judge whether he leaves a worthy life or not, but as far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned, he deserves justice, which I believed he was going to get.

He sang, “Love me while I’m still here, because heaven is our residence, Jah is my confidence, and every man is a walking dead. When I’m there no more, people will love me more. Talk about the things I’ve done and discuss my rights and wrongs. When I’m lying dead on the floor, when I can’t talk any more, if I go live forever, Shebi Oluwa.” This is the song that will outlive Ilerioluwa. Indeed, his posthumous success speaks to the impact Mohbad had on Afropop music during his short but promising career.

Mohbad has now become a metaphor for life in Nigeria, where true freedom remains elusive. You must compromise; you must submit to others; you cannot do it alone. This is precisely what prevails in many places in Nigeria. Who will save us? From where will help come? Society could not protect Mohbad, which is why many youths continue to die needlessly, especially in their prime, while society looks on. Now it becomes clear to me why so many youths came out en masse to demand justice.

It signifies solidarity among each of us, all with bright futures but some less fortunate than others. It is now, by far, a cry for justice, peace, and fairness, not just for Mohbad but for our nation as a whole. After all, it could have been any one of them, even me. We have longed for justice and peace in this terrain of pain called Nigeria; when will it reign, as we often sing in our national anthem? May the death of Mohbad make a difference.

There are many lessons to be learned from the death of Mohbad. One is that we should remember that a good name is better than riches; another is that bad company can destroy someone's life; third,  speak up when you are facing challenges beyond your control; and lastly, remember that we all give account to God for how we leave our lives here on earth.