Court adjourns Naira Marley’s fraud case

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has postponed the trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley’s, for suspected online fraud till Monday, November 13, 2023.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the trial of Naira Marley due to the failure of the police to produce him in court for continuation of his trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) placed Naira Marley on trial for 11 count charges that include credit card fraud and conspiracy.

The defendant’s attorney, Olalekan Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court during the last session on October 6, 2023, that the defendant was unable to appear in court because he was being interrogated by the Police for the murder of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad.

Ojo consequently asked the court to postpone the Marlian Records owner’s trial.

Responding, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, had asked the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant.

According to Buhari, this was done to make sure Naira Marley’s would be in court on the next postponed date.

Following hearing from both sides, Justice Oweibo granted the prosecution’s requests and issued a production warrant for the defendant.

The Judge had adjourned until Monday, October 30, for the continuation of his trial, however, Naira Marley was not present in court.

Buhari informed the court that despite the production warrant served to the police by the prosecution, the defendant was not brought to the courtroom. As a result, she requested a new date from the court to follow up with the police.

The Judge then postponed the trial until November 13 and November 30, 2023.

CREDIT: FRCN