Alleged Cyber Crime: Trial of Naira Marley stalled
Fashola, who sang the popular song: “Am I a yahoo boy”, was consequently, arraigned on May 20, 2019 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, a.k.a. Naira Marley, charged with cybercrime, stalled on Monday before a Federal Court in Lagos as the court did not sit.
The trial judge, Justice Nicholas Owiebo, is said to be attending a judges’ conference.
Supreme News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendant on charges bordering on cybercrime.
The anti-graft agency preferred the charges on May 14, 2019
Fashola, who sang the popular song: “Am I a yahoo boy”, was consequently, arraigned on May 20, 2019 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.
The court had accordingly, granted him bail in the sum of two million naira, with two sureties in like sum.
Trial has since commenced in the case and still ongoing.
On Oct. 6, Justice Oweibo issued a warrant for production of the defendant following his absence from trial on the last date.
Oweibo’s order followed an application for a production warrant by the prosecution, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari.
Supreme News recalls that the police in Lagos detained Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, in connection with the death of Nigerian artist Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as “Mohbad”.
At the last adjourned date on Oct. 30, defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) had informed the court that the defendant was still clearly absent from court inspite of the court’s order for his production.
The court had consequently, adjourned the case until Nov. 13 and 30 for cintinaution of trial
The trial will now continue on the next date, Nov. 30.
According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offences on different dates between Nov. 26, 2018 and Dec. 11, 2018, as well as May 10, 2019.
The commission alleged that Fashola and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims.
It was alleged that the defendant used a bank credit card issued to another person in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains.
The EFCC also said that the defendant possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people with the intent to defraud, which amounted to theft.
The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1–23(1)(b), 27(1), and 33(9) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.