A joint committee of the House of Representatives has invited Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, to a hearing regarding the royalties of the late Afrobeat singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.

This joint committee comprises members from the committees on Youth, Justice, and Legislative Compliance. In a letter dated October 26, signed by the clerk of the Committee, Yusuf Ibrahim, Naira Marley and the legal team representing the late singer were asked to appear before the committee on October 31.

Mohbad, a former artist under Naira Marley's record label, passed away at the age of 27 under unclear circumstances on September 12.

Naira Marley has faced accusations of bullying or orchestrating the harassment of the late singer, but the police have identified other suspects connected to the death of the singer.

Earlier this month, Naira Marley voluntarily turned himself in to the police for questioning and other investigative activities. The House of Representatives initiated this inquiry into the singer's death after a motion was presented by Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).

The committee's objective is to ensure that the late singer's family receives all the rightful entitlements from his works.

Mohbad’s royalties

According to the letter, the lawmakers said the interaction is to ensure that the family of the later singer gets what is due to them.

“The House Committees on Justice, Youth and Legislative Compliance invite you and the legal team of MOHBAD for an interactive meeting session as regards a referral received being a resolution of the House of Representatives during their plenary session on Tuesday 26th September 2023 with respect to the circumstances surrounding the royalties and other benefits of Mohbad and to ascertain the level of your interaction with other relevant copyright organisations, such information will guide the committee on further legislative action.

“In view of the above, you are kindly invited for an interactive session with the chairman, Committee on Justice, Youth and legislative compliance scheduled as follows,” the letter reads.