October 06, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday, October 6, issued a production warrant for singer/rapper, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley.
The warrant, issued by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, ordered that Naira Marley be produced in court to resume his trial for alleged cybercrime-related offences.
The controversial singer, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, October 3, following a police invitation to assist in the investigation into the death of his former label signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka MohBad.
The next day, a Sabo, Yaba, Chief Magistrate’s Court granted the police an order to detain him in their custody for 21 days.
But the detention meant he could not honour his court date for the resumption of his already four-year prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for alleged economic crime.
When the case resumed Friday, before Justice Oweibo, the defendant was absent.
The singer’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), explained the reason for his absence and prayed the court to issue a production warrant for the defendant so that he could be produced in court on the next adjourned day.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo issued the warrant and adjourned till October 30, 2023, for the continuation of the trial.
In the charge filed before the court, the agency alleged that Naira Marley and one Raze (still at large), on or about December 11, 2018, conspired to use an Access card 42658840359191132 issued to persons other than him in furtherance of internet scams.
It was also alleged that Naira Marley, and Raze on or about May 10, 2019, with intent to defraud, possessed a counterfeit card 4921819410257431 issued to oneyTimea Fedorne Tatar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(9) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act
He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
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