The House of Representatives has invited the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to develop ways to protect the rights of Mohbad’s royalties from songs and music rights.
He added that it reveals a troubling industry practice, showcasing the struggles faced by young artistes in Nigeria. To him, they [the artistes] often find themselves trapped in exploitative contracts and face intimidation when trying to terminate these agreements
Moving the motion, Benson, said that Mohbad tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances on Sept 12 and his name had continued to make headlines and dominate discussions across and beyond the nation.
He said there had been protests and procession of youths chanting his name and the call for an investigation as they marched to a tribute concert, with numerous musicians in attendance.
He said it was evident that Mohbad’s fans were struggling to come to terms with his untimely demise, adding that Mohbad also known as Imole, “light” in Yoruba, was an artist who sang of peace and light. 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, this situation reflects a larger issue where artistes face difficulties in asserting their rights.
According to Benson, the lack of creative freedom and financial growth for artists can lead to disputes and even violence. He explained that many Nigerian artistes are forced into unfair contracts due to the absence of substantial institutional funding in the music industry, stating the importance of addressing this issue for the industry’s growth and sustainability.
