On Tuesday, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, sent a message to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The Reps called on the NCC to protect the rights of the songs and lyrics of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The lower chamber of the National Assembly made the call following a motion moved by Rep. Babajimi Benson during a plenary session in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

According to The PUNCH, Benson during the session drew the attention of his colleagues to how the sudden death of Mohbad on September 12 had sparked protests.

He stated that the youth have been chanting his name and demanding an investigation, culminating in a tribute concert attended by various musicians. According to him, it is clear that Mohbad’s fans are struggling to accept his untimely death.

He described Mohbad, also popularly called Imole (Light) as a promoter of peace and positivity through his music.

Benson emphasised that Mohbad’s departure from Marlian Records, owned by Naira Marley, in 2022 was due to several grievances, including unpaid royalties. According to him, the situation reflects a larger issue regarding artistes who face difficulties in asserting their rights.

According to him, artistes often find themselves trapped through exploitative contracts and face intimidation when they try to terminate such agreements

He said Mohbad’s case is not an isolated incident, as many artists in the country find themselves in similar situations.

According to Benson, the lack of creative freedom and financial growth for artistes can lead to disputes and even violence.

Benson expressed concern that most of the late artiste’s earnings were going to Marlian Music Group, and that there had been no effort to protect his estate, despite being a globally recognised digital artiste.

The House paid tribute to Mohbad and emphasised the need to protect the rights of young artists who have contracts with record labels. They 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, artists, 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 has tasked its Committee on Justice and Legislative Compliance to ensure that these guidelines are followed.

 

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