
Nigerian social media is once again ablaze with controversy as popular media personality Radiogad launched a scathing attack on online activist and influencer, Verydarkman, accusing him of shamelessly exploiting the tragic death of late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. The fiery criticism, which quickly went viral, has reignited public debate on the boundaries between activism and opportunism, and whether some influencers are using the late singer’s name as a tool for fame and financial gain.
Radiogad, known for his unfiltered and blunt approach to social commentary, did not hold back in a now-trending video post where he accused Verydarkman of “feasting on a dead man’s name.” With clear disgust, he called out the activist for consistently dragging Mohbad’s name into nearly every piece of content he creates, questioning the sincerity of his supposed pursuit of justice for the deceased artist. According to Radiogad, the lines between advocacy and selfish publicity have long been blurred in Verydarkman’s actions, and it’s time someone called him out.
“He talks about justice, but all I see is a man milking every tear, every scream, and every memory for views and money,” Radiogad fumed. “Every week, there’s a new video, a new claim, a new twist. But where is the actual progress? Where are the legal documents? The petitions? The court proceedings? This has become a show — and Mohbad is the unwilling lead character.”
The backlash comes months after Mohbad’s shocking and sudden death in September 2023, which left the nation mourning. Fans and celebrities alike demanded justice, citing alleged harassment and abuse Mohbad suffered while alive, particularly linked to his strained relationship with his former label boss, Naira Marley. Verydarkman, known for his outspokenness and viral rants, quickly positioned himself as a voice of justice for the late singer, posting frequent updates, theories, and accusations related to the case.
However, as time has passed, critics like Radiogad argue that Verydarkman’s activism has lost its integrity and is now little more than self-serving content creation. Radiogad questioned how long the influencer plans to continue using Mohbad’s name as a central theme in his content without providing meaningful outcomes.
“What is this, a Netflix series?” Radiogad asked mockingly. “Is he waiting for Season 3 of ‘Justice for Mohbad’ to drop? This is real life. A young man lost his life. A son. A father. A friend. And instead of helping him rest, you keep digging up his name to keep your page active and the money flowing.”
Many Nigerians have expressed divided opinions in response to Radiogad’s bold accusations. While some agree that Verydarkman’s involvement in the Mohbad case now feels excessive and performative, others have rushed to his defense, praising him for keeping the spotlight on a case that might otherwise have been swept under the rug by authorities.
“Without Verydarkman, who would even be talking about Mohbad anymore?” one social media user wrote. “This country forgets fast. At least he’s keeping the pressure on. If Radiogad really cared, he should be doing something too, not just complaining.”
Another user countered, “There’s a difference between justice and obsession. Every day it’s a new conspiracy. How does that help Mohbad’s family? This is beginning to look like emotional blackmail for clout.”
As the online debate rages on, Radiogad appears unfazed by the backlash from Verydarkman’s loyal supporters. In follow-up statements, he insisted that his criticism is not born out of hate but from a deep frustration with how quickly tragedy turns into entertainment in today’s digital culture. He urged influencers to check their motives and remember the human lives behind the hashtags.
“I’m not saying don’t fight for justice,” Radiogad clarified. “But there’s a way to do it. Quietly. Respectfully. Legally. Not by turning someone’s death into a reality show. If you love Mohbad that much, do the right thing. Work with the family. Hire lawyers. Push policy. But don’t keep dancing on his grave for views.”
Interestingly, Mohbad’s family has remained largely silent amid the new wave of drama. Since the initial public outcry and their various appearances at protests and interviews, the family has stepped back from the limelight, perhaps choosing to grieve privately. Their silence raises further questions about who actually has the authority to speak on Mohbad’s behalf and whether some influencers have taken too much liberty with his legacy.
Verydarkman, on his part, has not remained quiet. In a fiery live video response to Radiogad’s comments, he defended his actions and dismissed the allegations as baseless attempts to silence him. He accused Radiogad of clout-chasing himself, claiming that the media personality was only using his name for relevance and views.
“I’m doing what no one else has the guts to do,” Verydarkman snapped. “If I stop talking about Mohbad, the world will move on. The killers will escape justice. And people like Radiogad will still sit on their asses doing nothing.”
He went further to share screenshots of his supposed communications with human rights lawyers and claimed he had spent his own money organizing protests and printing flyers. He warned critics to either join the fight or stay silent, emphasizing that justice is not a “one-time post or tweet.”
But Radiogad remains unmoved. He insists that if someone is truly passionate about justice, they wouldn’t need to scream every day to prove it. “Justice doesn’t need a spotlight. It needs discipline, consistency, and quiet determination,” he said. “Let Mohbad rest. Stop using his pain as your personal ATM.”
This clash between two influential figures — one from traditional media, the other from social media — underscores the growing tension between the old guard and new wave of Nigerian advocacy. As both continue to draw support and criticism in equal measure, the real question lingers: in the pursuit of justice, where should we draw the line between passion and performance?
For now, Mohbad remains at the center of a storm he never asked for. And while his fans continue to hope for true justice, many can’t help but wonder if the noise surrounding his name is doing more harm than good. Whether the controversy fades or explodes further, one thing is certain — the battle over Mohbad’s legacy is far from over.