The trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, facing cybercrime charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos, has been adjourned once again. Justice Nicholas Oweibo set the new trial dates for November 13 and 30 due to the defendant’s absence in court.
Naira Marley is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges related to cybercrime. The EFCC initially filed these charges on May 14, 2019.
The singer, famous for his song “Am I a yahoo boy,” was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on May 20, 2019, and pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties.
The trial had already commenced, but Naira Marley failed to appear on the last court date, prompting Justice Oweibo to issue a production warrant.
NAN reports that the police in Lagos detained Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, in connection with the death of Nigerian artiste, Oladimeji Aloba, also known as “Mohbad.”
When the case was called on Monday, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the court about the defendant’s continued absence despite the court’s production warrant.
The prosecutor, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, explained to the court that they had requested a production warrant but the defendant had not been produced.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to November 13 and 30 for the continuation of the trial.
According to the EFCC, Naira Marley committed the offenses on different dates between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019. The charges allege that he conspired with others to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims and used a bank credit card issued to another person to obtain fraudulent financial gains. The EFCC also accuses him of possessing counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with the intent to defraud, constituting theft under the provisions of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.
