House of Representatives Calls for Protection of Late Musician Mohbad’s Rights

By Iyojo Ameh

The House of Representatives has issued an invitation to the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) to safeguard the intellectual property rights of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad.

This decision was reached during a recent plenary session in Abuja, spearheaded by Babajimi Benson of the APC-Lagos.

Mohbad, also known as Imole, tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances on September 12, sending shockwaves throughout Nigeria and beyond.

In response to his untimely demise, Mr. Benson presented a motion, highlighting the ongoing protests and processions of youth demanding justice and an investigation into the artist’s death.

Hon.

Benson emphasized that Mohbad’s music resonated with messages of peace and light, making his loss particularly poignant for fans. It was also revealed that Mohbad had left his record label, Marlian Records, in 2022, citing several issues, including unpaid royalties. This incident sheds light on the broader problem of artists struggling to assert their rights in the music industry.

He also expressed concern that a significant portion of Mohbad’s earnings continued to go to the Marlian Music Group, with no apparent effort to protect the late singer’s estate. Mohbad, ranked as the 46th best-selling digital artist globally, deserved better protection and recognition for his contributions to the industry.

In honor of Mohbad, the House of Representatives observed a minute of silence and called for comprehensive measures to safeguard the rights of young and promising artists. This included monitoring the ongoing investigation into Mohbad’s death, focusing on allegations of harassment and unpaid royalties.

The House urged the NCC to collaborate with various stakeholders, including record labels, artists, legal experts, and industry associations. The objective is to develop and implement industry-wide guidelines that ensure fair treatment, transparent contractual agreements, and proper compensation for artists. This initiative also involves a review of existing copyright and contract laws in Nigeria to identify areas in need of reform.

To ensure compliance, the House of Representatives has assigned its Committee on Justice and Legislative Compliance to oversee these critical developments, marking a significant step toward reforming the Nigerian music industry and protecting the rights of its artists.