The criminal trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, was unable to proceed at a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday. This was due to a pending application for permission from the Chief Judge of the court.
The prosecutor, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, informed the trial judge, Justice Isaac Dipeolu, that an application for permission to allow the previous judge to continue with the trial of the defendant is currently awaiting approval from the Chief Judge of the court. The application was dated December 8, 2023.
Allub Times reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Naira Marley on charges related to cybercrime. The charges were filed on May 14, 2019.
Fashola, known for the popular song “Am I a yahoo boy”, was brought to court on May 20, 2019 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, where he pleaded not guilty.
Justice Oweibo granted bail to the defendant in the amount of N2 million, with two sureties who must also provide the same amount.
The trial has started in the case, with witnesses still giving evidence. However, Justice Oweibo was transferred out of the Lagos division of the court.
As a result, the case was moved to a new judge, Dipeolu.
During the first hearing before Justice Dipeolu, Buhari represented the prosecution while Mr. V.C. Maduagwu represented the defendant.
The defense counsel confirmed the prosecutor’s statement to the court.
Upon learning about the pending application for fiat, the court adjourned the case until May 30 for an update.
The EFCC accused the defendant of committing the offenses on various dates between November 26, 2018, December 11, 2018, and May 10, 2019.
The commission alleged that Fashola and his partners conspired to defraud victims using different Access Bank ATM cards.
According to the anti-corruption agency, these offenses violate the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015, specifically Sections 1, 23(1)(b), 27(1), and 33(9).
