Nearly two years after the controversial death of fast-rising singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, socialite and music promoter Sam Larry is once again under public scrutiny. Despite repeated attempts to distance himself from the tragedy, including recent public appearances and media interviews, Nigerians remain largely unconvinced of his innocence.
Sam Larry, whose real name is Samson Balogun, was one of the names repeatedly mentioned in connection with Mohbad’s alleged bullying and harassment prior to his sudden death in September 2023. His ties to Naira Marley, CEO of Marlian Music—Mohbad’s former label—further intensified public suspicion at the time.
In a new interview with online personality VeryDarkMan, Sam Larry refuted claims of intimidation, insisting that his conflict with the late singer was financial, not personal. He claimed that Mohbad owed him ₦2 million and denied ever threatening him.
“I didn’t bully Mohbad,” he said in pidgin English. “He owed me money. I once helped him when he had issues in Eleko. Why would I harass someone I helped?”
However, the interview appeared to reignite rather than resolve tensions. Critics on social media dismissed his statements as contradictory and opportunistic, especially in light of past viral footage showing him confronting Mohbad during a video shoot—an incident widely seen as evidence of hostility.
Shortly after the interview, Sam Larry was spotted alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the July 12, 2025 local government elections. He was seen engaging with youths at the governor’s polling unit, a move that many interpreted as a deliberate public relations strategy to soften his image.
Yet again, the attempt backfired. Social media erupted with sarcastic and angry reactions. “The PR campaign has begun,” one user commented. Another wrote, “You went from harassing artists to promoting democracy. Nice try.”
Even after disabling comments on his Instagram posts, screenshots shared by users revealed a consistent stream of backlash. Comments like “Your conscience is louder than your PR” and “No amount of rebranding can rewrite the past” continued to trail his content.
This isn’t Larry’s first attempt at public image rehabilitation. In late 2023, shortly after his release from police custody, he published a video claiming that he and Mohbad had settled their differences before the singer’s death. That declaration was also met with skepticism, as many felt it lacked sincerity and came too soon after his legal troubles.
Meanwhile, Naira Marley has adopted a low profile in recent months, but that hasn’t shielded him from backlash. His posts on social media continue to attract angry comments, with some fans vowing never to support his music again. Despite maintaining his innocence, many Nigerians still associate him with the toxic environment Mohbad allegedly experienced during his time at Marlian Music.