Alleged Cyber Crime: Court adjourns Naira Marley’s case

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday further adjourned until Nov. 13 and 30 the continuation of the trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, a.k.a. Naira Marley, charged with cybercrime.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the case following the defendant's absence from court.

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 had issued a warrant for production of the defendant, following his absence from trial on the last date .

Oweibo’s order, followed an application for production warrant by the prosecution, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari.

Supreme News reports that the police in Lagos had detained Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, in connection with the death of Nigerian artist Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as “Mohbad”.

When the case was called on Monday, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the court that the defendant is still clearly absent from his trial, in spite of the court’s order for his production.

In response, the prosecutor told the court that although she had prayed to the court for a production warrant for the defendant, he was still absent.

“My lord, at the last adjourned date, we prayed for a production warrant, and the court granted the same; however, the defendant is still not produced.

“We pray for a further date in order to follow up with the police,” she said.

The court consequently adjourned the case until November 13 and 30 for continuation of trial

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.