Court adjourns Naira Marley’s trial over defence lawyer’s absence

Naira Marley in court

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned until Thursday the continuation of trial of a musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, who is facing fraud and theft charges.

The case was adjourned on Wednesday following a letter by defence counsel, Olalejan Ojo, who was not available.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred 11 charges against the musician.

The charges border on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards and fraud.

The “Am I a Yahoo Boy?” singer was arraigned on May 20 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo but pleaded not guilty.

The court granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

According to the EFCC, he committed the offences on different dates between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as May 10, 2019.

The commission alleged that Naira Marley and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims.

It alleged that the defendant used Access Bank credit card number 5264711020433662, issued to another person, in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains.

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The EFCC also said that he possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with 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.