Iyabo Ojo police invitation cyberbullying case linked to her 2023 Mohbad video sparks controversy as Naira Marley and Sam Larry remain cleared by court
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has revealed that she was invited by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of cyberbullying, linked to her public advocacy following the death of singer Mohbad.
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In a lengthy statement posted on Thursday, the Lagos-based actress disclosed that she was summoned to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
The invitation, she said, stemmed from petitions connected to a live video she made in 2023, where she demanded justice for the late singer.
“I was recently invited by the Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrime Centre, Abuja, over petitions bordering on cyberbullying & other allegations concerning the live video I recorded a few years ago,” she wrote.
In that video, Iyabo Ojo had called out several individuals, urging them to submit themselves for investigation over their alleged roles in the sudden death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The police invitation comes months after a court cleared music executive Naira Marley and his associate Sam Larry of any direct involvement in Mohbad’s demise.
Their arrest in October 2023 had followed viral clips that appeared to show the singer being bullied and harassed by the duo before his controversial death in September.
While the cause of Mohbad’s death remains under investigation, public outrage last year was swift and intense, with Iyabo Ojo at the forefront of the #JusticeForMohbad campaign.
Her advocacy included multiple online videos, public marches, and visits to security agencies.
I was invited… over petitions bordering on cyberbullying & other allegations concerning the live video I recorded.
Reacting to her current situation, she said, “In that video, I requested certain individuals to make themselves available for investigation into Mohbad’s sudden death in order to prove their innocence or otherwise.”
The police summons has reignited public debate over freedom of speech, online activism, and the boundaries of celebrity influence in criminal investigations.
In December 2023, after being granted bail, Naira Marley’s legal team demanded a public apology and N500 million in damages from Iyabo Ojo, alleging defamation.
She swiftly responded with a counter-lawsuit, demanding N1 billion in damages, citing reputational harm and emotional distress.
The National Cybercrime Centre has yet to make an official statement on the nature or scope of the investigation.
However, legal experts suggest the case will test how Nigeria’s cybercrime laws are interpreted when public advocacy involves allegations against public figures.
Online reactions to the police invitation have been divided. Some critics accuse the authorities of trying to silence outspoken voices, while others believe the actress should be held accountable if she crossed legal lines.
Supporters of Iyabo Ojo argue that she spoke up when others stayed silent and should not be criminalised for demanding accountability.
“This is a woman who stood up for the voiceless. She should be applauded, not harassed,” one user wrote on X.
Others maintain that accusations made on social media without concrete evidence can have damaging consequences and deserve legal scrutiny.
The actress has vowed to cooperate with the authorities and expressed confidence that truth will prevail. “Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done,” she concluded.
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As the investigation unfolds, Iyabo Ojo’s case is set to shape ongoing conversations about digital rights, celebrity responsibility, and the fight for justice in Nigeria’s entertainment and legal landscape.
