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Claim: There have been claims on social media and in news reports on the ambassadorial role of a popular Nigerian Musician, Azeez Fasola popularly known as Naira Marley
Verdict: The claim that Azeez Fasola, popularly known as Naira Marley, was appointed as NDLEA ambassador is false. NDLEA denied the appointment in a press release signed by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy on the 19th of August.
Full Text
Following the controversial death of a Nigerian Musician, Promise Oladimeji Aloba popularly known as Mohbad on 12th September 2023, and the report of alleged maltreatment from his former record label, Marlian Music, owned by Azeez Fasola. Several video clips of assault on the late songster including one where he was said to have been given a liquid substance by the NDLEA have surfaced on the internet and reactions have continued to trail the circumstances surrounding his death.
Some of these reactions have been targeted at his former boss at Marlian Music, Azzeez Fasola. While Nigerians have called for thorough investigations into the matter, people have equally continued to condemn the alleged relationship of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency with Azeez Fasola.
African Council on Narcotics, while also reacting in a report published by Vanguard Newspaper, asked the NDLEA to suspend Fasola as its Ambassador pending the conclusion of investigations into Mohbad’s death.
Azeez Fasola and his Marlian Music has a history of promoting drug use in their songs and this prompted the NDLEA to raid their residence where drugs were recovered as exhibits and arrest were made in February 2022.
On 17th August 2023, Fasola was at the headquarters of the NDLEA where he lent his voice to the campaign against drug abuse in a 26-second video clip where he discouraged youths from indulging in drug abuse.
The video sparked claims of Fasola’s ambassadorial role at the time, the claims would later resurfaced after Mohbad’s death on X (formerly known as Twitter) from notable influencers, including @DrOlufunmillayo, @FS_Yusuf_, @instablog9ja, among others.
Verification
Checks by DUBAWA show that, following the initial reactions that trailed the video posted on social media on 17th August 2023, the NDLEA in a statement by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on 19th August denied any such relationship with Naira Marley.
“This clarification became necessary following continued misrepresentation of the purpose of the visit especially on online platforms where some reports suggest that the British-Nigerian singer was appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador.” Statement of the NDLEA reads in part.
The statement continued: “This is misleading and absolute falsehood as the pictures of the visit and the short video containing Naira Marley’s advocacy message to his followers were properly cationed and shared by the agency without any suggestion of such appointment.”
Conclusion
The claim that Azeez Fasola, popularly known as Naira Marley, was appointed as NDLEA ambassador is false. The appointment was denied by NDLEA in a 19th of August press release signed by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy.
