EFCC’s suit against Naira Marley stalled

The criminal trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, hit a snag at a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday due to a pending application for fiat before the Chief Judge of the court.

The trial judge, Justice Isaac Dipeolu, was informed by the prosecutor, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, that an application for fiat to enable the former judge to continue with the trial of the defendant is awaiting approval by the Chief Judge of the court. The application, dated December 8, 2023, is yet to be processed.

Naira Marley is facing charges bordering on cybercrime brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 14, 2019.

He was arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweiboo, pleading not guilty to the charges. Justice Oweibo granted him bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum.

Trial had commenced in the case, with witnesses still being led in evidence, until Justice Oweibo was transferred out of the Lagos division of the court. The case was then transferred to a new judge, Justice Dipeolu.

During the latest court session, Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Mr. V.C Maduagwu appeared for the defendant, confirming the status of the pending application for fiat. The court subsequently adjourned the case until May 30 for a report.

According to the EFCC, Naira Marley is accused of committing the offences between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as May 10, 2019.

The commission alleges that he conspired with others to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims and possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people with intent to defraud, amounting to theft.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1, 23(1)(b), 27(1), and 33(9) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.