The trial of embattled street-hop artiste, Azeez Fashola, well known as Naira Marley, who was charged with alleged cybercrime, was stalled on Monday, November 13, due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Nicholas Owiebo, who was meant to give a verdict in the matter that is before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Justice Owiebo, it was gathered was away for a judges’ conference. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Naira Marley on charges bordering on cybercrime reportedly commited on May 14, 2019.
The singer who made ‘Am I a yahoo boy’, a popular street lingo after he was paraded, was consequently arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty. The subsequently, granted him bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Owiebo had on October 6, issued a warrant for the production of the singer who is currently in Police custody following his absence from the trial on the date. His order followed an application for a production warrant by the prosecution, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari.
Recall that the Lagos State Police Command had detained the ‘Soappy, T’esu mole’ crooner and his associate, Sam Larry, in connection with the death of an artiste, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
At the last adjourned date on October 30, Naira Marley’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the court that the defendant was still clearly absent from court despite the court’s order for his production.
The court had, consequently, adjourned the case until Monday, November 13 and 30 for the continuation of the trial.
