Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has responded after popular street-hop singer Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, leaked their old private conversations from 2021 and 2022.
Naira Marley, in a series of posts on his Instagram story, shared screenshots of his past interactions with the actress. The messages revealed that Iyabo Ojo had reached out to him on two occasions—once to invite him to her movie premiere and another time to request his presence at her late mother’s remembrance party.
Following the leaked chats, Iyabo Ojo took to social media to address the issue, clarifying her stance on Naira Marley and why she publicly criticized him after the tragic death of young artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Iyabo Ojo, in her statement, acknowledged her past communication with Naira Marley but insisted that her criticism of him stemmed from his failure to intervene in Mohbad’s bullying before his untimely demise.
She explained that her advocacy is not about personal grievances but about seeking justice.
“Naira Marley recently shared our old chats, and I would like to address some points. As a TikTok influencer, I have promoted various artists, including Naira Marley. In 2020, I helped promote his song after his team reached out to me through my son, Festus,” she revealed.
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She further explained that her connection with Naira Marley also involved inviting him to important events in her life.
“I invited him to my movie premiere and my mother’s burial party. As someone who supports emerging artists, I have helped many young musicians by promoting their work, offering my lounge for shows, and even introducing them to music producers.”
However, Iyabo Ojo emphasized that her issue with Naira Marley is not personal but rather about his perceived inaction in the face of Mohbad’s struggles.
“When disturbing videos and petitions alleged that Sam Larry, Naira Marley’s associate, had bullied Mohbad—a young artist who tragically lost his life—I questioned Naira Marley’s silence. I never accused him of killing Mohbad, but evidence suggests Mohbad’s life was threatened, and he lived in fear.
“My issue with Naira Marley is his failure to intervene despite his influence. Furthermore, I have come across allegations linking him to other disturbing incidents, and if necessary, these matters will be addressed in court,” she stated.
Iyabo Ojo concluded her statement by reaffirming her commitment to justice and making it clear that she will not be silenced.
“I interact with many celebrities, both privately and publicly, but I will never hesitate to speak out against injustice, regardless of our past interactions. Naira Marley, if you thought I would keep silent, you were mistaken,” she declared.
This latest development adds another layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the events that led to his tragic passing.