Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigeria’s House of Representatives,has resolved to monitor the ongoing investigation of Mohbad’s death by the Nigerian Police Force.
Specifically,the House said its monitoring will
cover the allegations of harassment and unpaid royalties, as well as collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including record labels, artists, legal experts, and industry associations, to develop and implement industry-wide guidelines that ensure fair treatment, transparent contractual agreements, and proper compensation for artists, reviewing existing copyright and contract laws in Nigeria, identifying gaps or areas in need of reform.
The resolution of the House followed a Motion on the “Need for Justice, Safeguarding the Legacy of Late Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba A.K.A Mohbad, and Protecting the Rights of Young Promising Artists in Contracts with Their Record Labels”, adopted in the green chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The House observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased during the proceeding.
It resolved to invite the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) with a view to puting immediate measures in place to protect the rights of Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba (Mohbad’s) songs and lyrics.
It also urged the Commission to initiate measures at addressing copyright infringements and ensuring the proper management of his musical assets while securing his son’s benefits from his musical legacy.
Hon. Babajimi Benson who sponsored the motion, noted that the Nigerian music industry mourns the loss of the talented artist Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, who tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances on September 12, 2023, a development he said had been greeted with ‘heartfelt protests, a procession of youth chanting his name”
According to him, followingthe death of the music star, “a disturbing industry practice has come to the fore. Evidence of mistreatment highlights the struggles of young artists who, in their quest for success, become entangled in parasitic contracts and face bullying when they seek to exit these agreements”.
He said it was disturbing that most of the proceeds of the late artist are still going to the Marlian Music Group, and there have been no moves from any agency to protect the Estate of the late singer who is currently the 46th best-selling digital artiste in the world.