By Tambaya Julius
The famous Nigerian artist Naira Marley and Mohbad’s manager, Jiggy Adeoye, have turned down the House of Representatives’ invitation regarding compensation and royalties for the late Mohbad.
The committee on Justice, Youth, and Legislative Compliance had summoned them for an interactive session, but there are compelling reasons for their refusal.
The House of Representatives took the initiative to address the compensation and royalties issues surrounding Mohbad’s unfortunate demise.
Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley’s record label, passed away under controversial circumstances on September 12.
This prompted the House to wade into the matter, guided by a motion presented by Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).
Benson expressed concerns about the contracts and agreements that artists are required to sign and called for a review of relevant laws in the entertainment industry, including copyright laws.
In response to the House’s invitation, Naira Marley’s legal counsel, representing him through the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), conveyed that the controversial artist wouldn’t be attending the interactive session.
The reason cited was Naira Marley’s detainment by the police due to a court order.
As of now, he remains in the custody of the Lagos police command, and this situation hinders his participation in any proceedings.
The rejection of the invitation didn’t stop at Naira Marley. Mohbad’s manager, Jiggy Adeoye, also declined to attend the scheduled session.
The grounds for this refusal were financial constraints, which impeded their ability to participate.
PMAN communicated this information to the House, emphasizing that they remain open to alternative arrangements to facilitate cooperation with the committee.
During the plenary session on September 26, the lawmakers expressed their dedication to addressing the issues surrounding Mohbad’s death and ensuring proper compensation and royalties for his musical works.
They also pledged to monitor the investigation into his death and the royalties attributed to him.
The refusal of Naira Marley and Mohbad’s manager to attend the House of Representatives’ interactive session raises questions about the progress of the case.
As this legal saga unfolds, the House remains committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that the late artist receives the compensation and royalties he deserves.
