Reps summon Mohbad's manager Naira Marley, over late singer's music rights

 

The House of Representatives has summoned controversial singer Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley to appear before it. The house, through its Committee on Justice, Youth and Legislative Compliance, also invited the manager of the late singer, Jiggy Adeoye to an interactive session slated to hold next week Tuesday. This is part of the legislators move to secure proper compensation and royalties for late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad) for his musical works.

Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley’s record label died at 27 under unclear circumstances on 12 September. The House had resolved to wade into the matter following the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos). Benson had called for a review of relevant laws guiding the entertainment industry as well as copyright laws, while expressing concerns about the contracts and agreements that entertainers are compelled to sign

The lawmakers during the debate on the matter at the plenary session on September 26 also assured the family of Mohbad of its commitment to secure proper compensation and royalties from his musical works. The House further resolved to monitor the investigation surrounding his death and royalties accruing to him. In a letter dated October 26, 2023, signed by the Committee's Clark, Barr. Yusuf Ibrahim, the house said both Naira Marley and Mohbad's manager were needed to guide the committee on further legislative action.

The letter was routed through the President, Performing Musicians Associations of Nigeria. The letter reads: "The House Committee on Justice, Youth and Legislative Compliance invites you and the legal team of MOHBAD for an interactive meeting session as regard 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 organizations, 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; Tuesday 31st October 2023 at 2:30pm".

Meanwhile, Naira Marley has declined the invitation extended to him by the House of Representatives over compensation and royalties for the late singer.   Naira Marley’s legal counsel disclosed this in a response to a letter sent to the singer by the lawmakers through the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN)