September 26, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, observed a moment of silence for the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, who passed away at the age of 27.
Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, and was laid to rest a day later.
The lower chamber paid the tribute at the beginning of an executive session at the resumption of plenary in Abuja.
Subsequently, after a motion of urgent importance was moved by the member representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, the House further resolved to monitor the investigation and royalties related to the deceased.
Benson additionally called for the need to review laws in the entertainment industry, as well as copyright laws and expressed concerns about contracts and agreements for entertainers.
Also, the House has called upon the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) to protect the rights of the songs and lyrics of Mohbad.
Benson emphasised that Mohbad’s departure from Marlian Records, owned by Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, in 2022, was due to several grievances, including unpaid royalties.
According to him, this situation reflects a larger issue where artistes face difficulties in asserting their rights.
He added that it reveals a troubling industry practice, showcasing the struggles faced by young artistes in Nigeria. To him, they [the artistes] often find themselves trapped in exploitative contracts and face intimidation when trying to terminate these agreements.
He further said that Mohbad’s case is not an isolated incident, as many artistes in the country find themselves caught in unfavourable contractual arrangements.
According to Benson, the lack of creative freedom and financial growth for artistes can lead to disputes and even violence.
He explained that many Nigerian artistes are forced into unfair contracts due to the absence of substantial institutional funding in the music industry, stating the importance of addressing this issue for the industry’s growth and sustainability.
Benson expressed concern that most of the late artiste’s earnings were going to Marlian Music, and there has been no effort to protect his estate, despite being a globally recognised digital artiste.
The House then called for close monitoring of the investigation into Mohbad’s death, particularly regarding allegations of harassment and unpaid royalties.
The House also urged the NCC to collaborate with record labels, artistes, legal experts, and industry associations to establish and enforce industry-wide guidelines.
The guidelines should guarantee fair treatment, transparent contracts, and adequate compensation for artists. They should also assess current copyright and contract laws in Nigeria to identify areas that require reform.
Additionally, the House tasked its Committee on Justice and Legislative Compliance to ensure that these guidelines are followed.
