Davido's aide denies singer had a hand in Naira Marley, VeryDarkMan feud
- Israel Afeare, Davido's logistics manager, said the singer played no part in any plan to arrest VeryDarkMan.
- He said crew members who joined a WhatsApp group linked to the matter did so on their own.
- The statement follows VeryDarkMan's claim that chats from Davido's circle discussed his arrest over Mohbad.
Davido had nothing to do with the troubles Naira Marley faced after Mohbad's death, and was not part of any move to get VeryDarkMan arrested, the singer's logistics manager has said.
Israel Afeare, known online as Israel DMW, made the denial in a statement posted on his Instagram account on Thursday. It comes amid a public falling-out between Davido and the activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely called VeryDarkMan.
According to Israel, any members of Davido's team who took part in a WhatsApp group at the centre of the row joined it without the singer's instruction or blessing.
"Oga had no hands in Naira Marley's ordeals during his trying times in Mohbad's case or in any plot to see VDM being arrested," he wrote.
What VeryDarkMan claims
VeryDarkMan has said his friendship with Davido soured after he got hold of WhatsApp conversations involving people close to the singer and other entertainment figures.
He claimed the talks were about having him arrested because he kept asking questions about how Mohbad died and kept pushing the #JusticeForMohbad campaign. He said he was taken aback, since he had been on good terms with some of those in the group and with Davido himself. He also said he tried several times to reach Davido to ask whether he knew about the discussions, but got no reply.
Israel questioned why Davido would wade into a quarrel between VeryDarkMan and the music producer Samklef. He also rejected claims that Davido tried to buy Mohbad's music catalogue or sign Marlian Music artiste Zinoleesky, saying those who passed the story to the activist were not telling the truth.
Why it matters
Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died on September 12, 2023, at 27. His death drew outrage across the country and led to police investigations, the exhumation of his body for an autopsy and a coroner's inquest.
In July 2025, the coroner ruled out homicide and deliberate foul play. It said a fatal reaction to substances given by an unlicensed nurse was a possible explanation, and recommended that the nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, be prosecuted over alleged unlawful medical practice and negligence.
VeryDarkMan was one of the loudest voices demanding answers in the case. The row now pulls in one of Nigeria's biggest music stars, and it is playing out largely on social media, where fans have been taking sides.
Israel said Davido came under pressure at the time to unfollow Naira Marley on Instagram and refused, insisting the police should be allowed to do their job rather than act on rumour. He added that the two artistes remain on good terms and have a hit song together.
On talk of a fight at Naira Marley's home, Israel said it was a disagreement between a former member of Davido's 30BG crew known as Tolu and one of Naira Marley's associates. Nobody was beaten or attacked, he said.
