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Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been defended by his aide, Israel DMW, following renewed controversy surrounding the late singer Mohbad, former Marlian Records boss Naira Marley and social media activist Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
Israel DMW dismissed allegations linking the award-winning musician to efforts to secure VeryDarkMan’s arrest in 2024, insisting that Davido neither authorised nor participated in any plan against the social media critic.
The clarification comes amid an escalating disagreement between Davido and VeryDarkMan, who recently revisited the circumstances surrounding their former relationship and alleged that some individuals within the singer’s circle were involved in discussions about his arrest.
In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Israel maintained that Davido had no involvement in Naira Marley’s difficulties during the controversy that followed Mohbad’s death.
He also denied that the singer instructed anyone to participate in a WhatsApp group allegedly connected to discussions about VeryDarkMan’s arrest.
According to Israel, individuals who joined the group did so without Davido’s knowledge, permission or approval. He described information suggesting otherwise as false and insisted that his boss should not be held responsible for actions allegedly taken by other people.
The aide’s response comes as the disagreement between the two public figures attracts renewed attention on social media, with supporters of both sides debating the allegations and the events that contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.
Israel also rejected claims that Davido attempted to acquire Mohbad’s music catalogue or persuade singer Zinoleesky to leave Marlian Records.
The allegations had become part of the wider discussion surrounding the campaign for justice following Mohbad’s death in September 2023.
By addressing these issues, Israel sought to separate Davido from the actions and disagreements attributed to individuals associated with the singer’s entertainment circle.
Israel DMW says Davido did not authorise WhatsApp group activities
One of the central issues in the renewed controversy is a WhatsApp group conversation that VeryDarkMan claims contained discussions about efforts to have him arrested.
The social media activist recently explained that he discovered the conversations in 2025 and alleged that some people connected to Davido’s circle had participated in discussions that contributed to his arrest in 2024.
According to VDM, the group allegedly included actress Iyabo Ojo, actress Tonto Dikeh, musician Samklef, music producer K-Solo and members of Davido’s DMW team, including individuals he identified as Aloma DMW and Dre DMW.
He claimed that the discussions were connected to his continued involvement in the campaign demanding answers over Mohbad’s death.
VDM also suggested that some participants were more interested in targeting Naira Marley than pursuing the broader objective of securing justice for the late singer.
However, Israel rejected the suggestion that Davido had any role in the alleged arrangement.
He maintained that the singer did not instruct the people involved to join the group and had not approved any action aimed at getting VeryDarkMan arrested.
The distinction is important because allegations involving members of an individual’s professional or entertainment circle do not automatically establish that the individual personally authorised their activities.
Israel’s statement represents Davido’s camp’s position on the matter. The allegations about the WhatsApp group and the alleged plan to secure VDM’s arrest have not been independently established through the information publicly available in the reports.
The aide also questioned why Davido would have any reason to be involved in a dispute with Samklef, further dismissing claims that the singer was connected to the alleged efforts against the activist.
Aide denies Davido wanted Mohbad’s music catalogue
Israel also addressed claims concerning Mohbad’s music catalogue, dismissing suggestions that Davido attempted to obtain ownership or control of the late singer’s musical works.
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27. His death generated widespread public concern and renewed discussions about his experiences within the Nigerian music industry.
Before his death, the singer had been associated with Marlian Records, a label founded by Naira Marley. His departure from the label and complaints about his professional relationship with people connected to it became significant subjects of public discussion after his passing.
The controversy also attracted the involvement of several Nigerian entertainers, activists and public figures who demanded answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Davido was among the prominent musicians whose activities attracted public attention during the period.
Israel, however, insisted that claims suggesting the singer wanted Mohbad’s catalogue were untrue.
He also denied allegations that Davido attempted to sign Zinoleesky, who remained associated with Marlian Records during the controversy.
The aide’s comments are intended to counter suggestions that Davido had personal or business interests in the dispute involving Naira Marley and other individuals associated with the late singer.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and Israel did not provide documentary evidence in his public statement to support every aspect of his denial.
Davido reportedly refused pressure to unfollow Naira Marley
Another important part of Israel’s clarification concerned Davido’s relationship with Naira Marley during the period when public criticism of the Marlian Records founder intensified.
Following Mohbad’s death, Naira Marley faced significant public scrutiny, with many Nigerians demanding that the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death be thoroughly investigated.
The pressure extended to other entertainers who had maintained relationships with the Marlian Records boss. Some social media users expected prominent musicians to distance themselves from him while investigations were ongoing.
Israel claimed that Davido also faced pressure to unfollow Naira Marley on Instagram but refused to do so.
According to the aide, Davido preferred to allow the police to investigate the matter rather than make decisions based on allegations circulating on social media.
He maintained that the two musicians remained on good terms and pointed to their previous musical collaboration as part of their relationship.
Israel’s position was that Davido did not believe in treating allegations as established facts without allowing the relevant authorities to investigate them.
His comments revisit an important aspect of the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, which generated different reactions within the Nigerian entertainment industry.
While some celebrities publicly expressed support for calls for accountability, others faced criticism over their continued associations with individuals connected to the controversy.
The public pressure demonstrated how the tragedy extended beyond the immediate investigation, creating disagreements among entertainers, fans and social media personalities.
However, maintaining a personal or professional relationship with someone facing public allegations does not, by itself, establish involvement in any wrongdoing.
Israel’s explanation suggests that Davido’s decision not to unfollow Naira Marley was based on his preference for allowing the authorities to handle the investigation.
Israel explains disagreement involving Naira Marley’s residence
The aide also addressed a reported disagreement involving members of Davido’s 30BG entertainment circle and an associate of Naira Marley.
The incident became another subject of discussion as questions emerged about the relationship between the two music camps during the period surrounding Mohbad’s death.
Israel explained that the disagreement involved Tolu 30BG, who was associated with Davido’s camp, and one of Naira Marley’s associates.
He denied claims that anyone was physically attacked or beaten during the incident.
His clarification was intended to challenge accounts that suggested the disagreement involved a violent confrontation between members of the two camps.
The aide maintained that the situation had been misrepresented and that the incident should not be interpreted as evidence of hostility between Davido and Naira Marley.
The explanation also forms part of his broader argument that the Afrobeats star should not be connected to every disagreement involving people within his entertainment circle.
As the controversy continues, the accounts provided by the different individuals involved remain important in understanding the competing narratives surrounding the incident.
VDM reveals how his relationship with Davido reportedly broke down
Israel’s intervention followed comments by VeryDarkMan explaining the circumstances that allegedly ended his friendship with Davido.
In a video shared on social media on Thursday, November 5, the activist revisited how he became close to the singer and why their relationship eventually deteriorated.
VDM said their relationship began after Davido followed him on social media in 2024.
He described the development as exciting because of Davido’s international profile and popularity within the Nigerian and global music industries.
According to the activist, the two subsequently became friendly and maintained communication through direct messages.
He claimed that he regularly supported Davido by promoting his music whenever the singer released new projects.
VDM also said their conversations involved requests for assistance from Davido rather than him seeking personal favours from the musician.
However, he alleged that the relationship changed after he came across a WhatsApp group conversation in 2025 that he believed connected members of Davido’s circle to efforts to have him arrested in 2024.
The activist said the discovery surprised him because he had previously maintained friendly relationships with some of the individuals allegedly mentioned in the conversations.
He claimed that the discussions were connected to his questions about Mohbad and his criticism of people he believed should be held accountable following the singer’s death.
VDM also recalled that he had been arrested in 2024, detained for several weeks and subsequently transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre before his release.
He alleged that the WhatsApp conversations made him question whether people within Davido’s wider circle had played a role in the events that led to his detention.
According to him, he attempted to contact Davido several times to ask whether the singer knew about the alleged discussions and why people associated with his camp would participate in them.
He said the singer did not answer his calls.
The activist further claimed that a subsequent social media publication suggested he wanted to record a conversation with Davido and use it to blackmail him.
VDM described the suggestion as disappointing, insisting that his intention was to obtain an explanation rather than threaten the singer.
He said the incident damaged his trust in Davido and eventually led him to end their friendship.
These claims remain VDM’s account of the disagreement. They have not independently established that Davido ordered, approved or participated in any alleged plan involving the activist’s arrest. TheCable Lifestyle+2
The activist said the Mohbad controversy was ultimately the issue that brought his relationship with Davido to an end, despite initially bringing them closer.
Mohbad’s death continues to generate disagreements in entertainment industry
Mohbad’s death remains one of the most widely discussed events in Nigeria’s entertainment industry in recent years.
The singer died in Lagos on September 12, 2023, and his passing triggered widespread public reactions, protests and demands for a thorough investigation.
Questions about his experiences at Marlian Records, his relationship with Naira Marley and events preceding his death attracted considerable attention.
Naira Marley and music promoter Sam Larry were among those investigated in connection with the controversy. Both faced intense public scrutiny as Nigerians demanded accountability.
However, in February 2025, a magistrate court in Lagos discharged Naira Marley, Sam Larry and other defendants after considering the legal advice issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The decision meant they had no case to answer in the proceedings before that court, while proceedings were directed against the nurse who treated Mohbad and another individual over alleged negligence.
The legal development was an important part of the wider case, although public discussions about the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death continued.
The tragedy also exposed disagreements within the entertainment industry about how celebrities should respond when allegations involving fellow entertainers emerge.
For VeryDarkMan, the campaign for justice became a major part of his public activities, while his recent statements suggest that disagreements over how the campaign was handled contributed to his fallout with Davido and other musicians.
Davido’s camp and VDM face renewed public disagreement
The latest exchange between Israel DMW and VeryDarkMan has added another dimension to the disagreement.
While Israel insists that Davido had no involvement in the alleged plan to arrest the activist, VDM has maintained that his concerns arose from conversations he claims to have discovered involving people connected to the singer’s circle.
The two positions highlight the difference between allegations of involvement by individuals associated with a public figure and evidence that the public figure personally authorised their actions.
Davido’s aide has rejected the latter suggestion, while VeryDarkMan continues to question the circumstances surrounding his 2024 arrest.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the responsibilities of public figures and their representatives when responding to sensitive allegations on social media.
For now, Israel’s statement represents the clearest public defence from Davido’s camp in the latest round of accusations. Whether the singer himself will directly address the allegations remains unclear.
The disagreement is likely to continue attracting attention because it involves some of Nigeria’s most recognisable entertainment personalities and a case that generated significant public interest.
Ultimately, the allegations surrounding the WhatsApp group, the circumstances of VeryDarkMan’s arrest and the alleged involvement of people within Davido’s circle require evidence and appropriate responses from those concerned.
Until independently verifiable information establishes what happened, claims made by either side should be treated as allegations or denials rather than proven facts.
