Nigerian social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has publicly claimed he urged controversial singer Naira Marley to pursue legal action against actress Iyabo Ojo over allegations linking him to the death of his former protegé, Mohbad. The dispute stems from a months-long public feud, with Ojo previously accusing Marley of involvement in the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s passing in 2023. However, plans for a defamation lawsuit reportedly collapsed after Ojo apologized during a mediated meeting at the Lagos State Police Commissioner’s office, prompting Marley to drop the case.
In a recent TikTok livestream, Otse expressed frustration over Marley’s decision, criticizing the musician’s reliance on “divine judgment” rather than legal recourse. “I advised Naira Marley to formally accuse Iyabo Ojo of damaging his reputation and career through her public statements,” Otse stated. “We agreed he’d confront her aggressively during the police meeting, but the moment she apologized in Yoruba, he completely softened.” Otse claimed he “almost died of shock” witnessing Marley’s sudden forgiveness, adding that the singer’s associate, Sam Larry—who was present—protested the decision and later became emotional.
The activist speculated that Ojo’s apology was insincere, though he provided no evidence to substantiate this claim. His account comes four months after a Lagos court cleared Marley and Larry of any criminal involvement in Mohbad’s death, which remains under investigation by Nigerian authorities. The late singer’s tragic demise last year sparked nationwide outrage, with fans and celebrities demanding accountability through the viral #JusticeForMohbad campaign.
While Marley has not publicly addressed Otse’s claims, the incident underscores ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where personal disputes frequently escalate into legal battles and social media wars. Legal analysts note that defamation suits have become an increasingly common tool for public figures to address online criticism, though out-of-court settlements remain frequent. The Lagos police have yet to comment on the reported meeting between the parties.
