Mohbad: Oriyomi Hamzat Apologises to Naira Marley, Lifts Ban on Marlian Songs

How We Got Here: From Tragedy to Boycott

Mohbad, a fast-rising artist known for the hit KPK, died on September 12, 2023, spurring waves of grief and anger, and igniting complex debates about the welfare of artists, industry relationships, and alleged bullying in Nigerian music. In the turbulent weeks and months that followed, Naira Marley—Mohbad’s former label boss—became the subject of intense public scrutiny, online campaigns, and calls for accountability. Amid this backdrop, Hamzat instructed that Marlian songs should be taken off Agidigbo FM’s rotation.

The broadcaster framed the original ban as a moral stance taken while investigations were active, a decision he says was rooted in the “sanctity of human life.” He noted that many in the public—including listeners and industry colleagues—saw pulling Marlian music as a symbolic stand during an unsettled period.

The Apology and the Reversal

Speaking during his programme, Hamzat clarified that he had no personal feud with Naira Marley, and that the station’s action was less about enmity and more about the climate of uncertainty at the time. He further explained that the boycott had little effect on the artist’s career trajectory—another argument for ending the embargo. He then formally lifted the ban and reintroduced Marlian songs to the station’s playlists.

“I gave the order that Naira Marley’s songs should not be played on Agidigbo FM at the time… When the matter got to where it is now, we realised our action had no real impact… From today onwards, Naira Marley’s songs will be played on our station.”

— Paraphrased from Hamzat’s on-air remarks as reported by Premium Times and The Nation.

To underline the policy shift, Hamzat reportedly cued Tesumole—a 2019 Naira Marley hit—live on air. The gesture served as both a radio moment and a signal to presenters and DJs across the station that the curtain was officially up on Marlian tracks.

Legal and Investigative Backdrop

Reporting also points to subsequent legal clarity that weighed on the broadcaster’s decision. A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba later ruled that Naira Marley, music promoter Samson “Sam Larry” Eletu, Owodunni “Primeboy” Ibrahim, and manager Opere Babatunde were not responsible for Mohbad’s death—an outcome that shifted public discourse and helped cool some of the animosity. Premium Times highlights this turn as part of the context surrounding Hamzat’s reversal.

While the court’s ruling does not erase the emotional gravity of the moment that triggered the boycott, it does reshape the narrative and responsibilities for broadcasters considering editorial responses to ongoing investigations. As Hamzat emphasised, the initial ban rode a wave of public concern; the lifting reflects an attempt to realign programming with due process and outcomes.

Why This Matters: Culture, Ethics, and the Power of Playlists

Radio remains a powerful taste-maker in Nigeria. Agidigbo FM, anchored in Ibadan but heard far beyond Oyo State through syndication and online streams, plays a significant role in shaping what ordinary listeners hear daily. A ban from such a station, even if symbolic, signals value judgements; conversely, a public reversal sends an equally strong message about accountability, fairness, and the limits of trial-by-hashtag.

The broadcaster’s admission that “the ban made no real impact” is a sobering acknowledgement of how fragmented music discovery has become in the streaming era. Even when terrestrial radio takes a stance, artists can thrive via digital platforms, social media virality, and global diaspora support. Nevertheless, terrestrial radio remains influential for reaching non-streaming audiences, legitimising records for advertisers, and boosting night-time and weekend shows where DJs introduce local hits to broader demographics.

What Hamzat’s Apology Signals to the Industry

Reactions Across Media and Social Platforms

The apology and policy reversal quickly trended on platforms like X and Instagram, with clips of the on-air moment shared widely by news handles and entertainment accounts. Some praised Hamzat’s courage to “say sorry” in public; others argued the initial ban should never have happened. Coverage spanned mainstream and digital outlets, including PM News, The Nation, Leadership, and Premium Times, amplifying the story nationally.

For Naira Marley’s camp and Marlian Records, the practical impact is simple: restored access to one of Southwest Nigeria’s most listened-to stations, plus a reputational boost from the public nature of the apology. For Agidigbo FM, the move may help rebuild bridges with segments of the audience that prioritise fairness and post-investigation corrections.

The Human Core: Remembering Mohbad

Any discussion of this saga must keep Mohbad at the centre. The profound sense of loss that Nigerians felt—and still feel—is what made the story so combustible. Tributes, memorials, and calls for reforms around artist welfare were not just trending topics; they captured the cultural heartbeat of a nation reckoning with how it treats young talent. Even in lifting the ban, Hamzat invoked prayers for Mohbad’s peaceful rest, a reminder that closure in courtrooms does not equal closure in hearts.

Programming and Policy: What Happens Next at Agidigbo FM?

With the ban lifted, Agidigbo presenters can freely programme Naira Marley’s catalogue—old favourites such as Soapy, Aye, and Tesumole—alongside Marlian Records releases from affiliated artists. The station may also re-evaluate its internal policy on artist boycotts to ensure that future decisions are guided by clear criteria and thresholds (e.g., formal charges, court orders, or regulatory directives) rather than social pressure alone.

Lessons for Broadcasters and Platforms

• Codify Crisis Policies: Draft playbooks for handling situations where artists are under investigation—what triggers a review, who decides, and how updates are communicated publicly.
• Balance Ethics with Evidence: Center policies on verifiable facts while acknowledging community sentiments. This prevents knee-jerk reactions that are hard to unwind.
• Ensure Transparency: If you take a stand, publish your rationale and update the public when facts change. The credibility dividend from transparency is real.
• Diversify Decision Inputs: Include legal counsel, newsroom editors, and community representatives in deliberations where reputations and livelihoods are at stake.
• Remember the Audience: Listeners value empathy and fairness. Explain not just what you decided, but why.

What It Means for Artists and Labels

For artists, the episode is a case study in reputation risk management. Social media storms can trigger broadcast consequences even without formal findings. Having robust crisis communications plans, legal readiness, and community engagement strategies is no longer optional. For labels, investing in artist support systems—mental health resources, conflict mediation, and transparent contract frameworks—can mitigate the kind of rifts that escalate into public boycotts.

A Timeline of Key Moments

1. September 12, 2023: Mohbad dies in Lagos at age 27, triggering national mourning and speculation around cause and culpability.
2. 2024: Agidigbo FM, led by Oriyomi Hamzat, halts airplay of Naira Marley/Marlian Records songs amid ongoing investigations and public pressure.
3. Subsequent Legal Update: A Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos, later rules that Naira Marley and others were not responsible for Mohbad’s death.
4. August 19, 2025: On air in Ibadan, Hamzat apologises and lifts the ban, playing Tesumole to mark the policy shift. Coverage breaks across national media.

Reader Q&A

Did Hamzat explicitly say he accused Naira Marley?

No. He clarified that he did not accuse Naira Marley of murder or any illegal act; rather, the station pulled the music during an unsettled period while investigations continued.

Is the apology permanent policy?

The apology is a public statement; the policy change restores Marlian songs to rotation. As with any broadcaster, Agidigbo FM can update programming policies in the future, but there is no indication of a time-limited trial—the ban is lifted.

How have media covered the story?

The reversal was widely reported by Premium Times, PM News, The Nation, Leadership and other outlets, often with clips of the on-air apology trending on social media.

Editorial Note

Stories like this sit at the intersection of culture, grief, and justice. It is possible to honour the memory of a beloved artist while also respecting due process and the presumption of innocence. Hamzat’s apology is, in that sense, not merely about playlists; it is about the responsibility of public voices to reflect, recalibrate, and communicate clearly when the facts shift.

Sources & Further Reading

• Premium Times Nigeria: “Oriyomi Hamzat lifts ban on Naira Marley songs on Agidigbo FM” (published Aug. 19, 2025).
• P.M. News: “Oriyomi Hamzat apologizes to Naira Marley” (published Aug. 19, 2025).
• The Nation: “Mohbad: Agidigbo FM lifts ban on Naira Marley’s music” (published Aug. 19, 2025).
• Leadership: “Mohbad: Popular Broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, Apologises To Naira Marley, Lifts Ban On Singer’s Songs.”

Disclaimer: This article summarises developments as reported by independent outlets. Quotes are paraphrased from the linked reporting unless otherwise indicated. For legal interpretations, refer to official court documents.