Splash FM, a prominent Nigerian radio station chain, has banned Naira Marley’s music across its platforms. An internal memo cited the probe into fellow artist Mohbad’s death as rationale.
The memo, circulated Monday, instructed all Splash FM staff to immediately cease playing Naira Marley’s songs.
This ban came as authorities launched investigations into the circumstances around Mohbad’s untimely passing.
Splash FM did not disclose specific motivations behind blacklisting Naira Marley. But the move follows accusations linking the singer to Mohbad’s demise, which police are now formally looking into.
For now, Naira Marley’s music has been pulled indefinitely by Splash FM as the mystery surrounding Mohbad’s death spurs fallout for artists tied to the late musician.
“In view of the sensitive nature around the death of Mohbad and the criminal procedure the police has commenced, I will urge us all to exercise discretion,” the statement said.
“To this effect, Naira Marley’s songs have become NTBB (Not to be Broadcast) on our stations until further notice.”
“This is with immediate effect,” the statement reiterated.
Naira Marley, born Azeez Fashola, has been at the centre of controversy following the sudden and mysterious death of Mohbad, born Promise Aloba, who was a former signee of the Marlian Records before the two singers fell out on bad terms.
Although no evidence has directly placed Naira Marley as the killer of Mohbad as of press time, but footages, which emerged in the aftermath of Mohbad’s passing last week Tuesday, have had the public calling for an investigation into the musician’s death.
Some of the footages documented the series of abuse Mohbad had suffered at the hands of Naira Marley and his allies including alleged gang leader Samson ‘Sammy Larry’ Balogun, who on one occasion, disrupted the late singer’s music video set.
