The eagerly anticipated trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, hit another roadblock on Thursday as proceedings before a Federal High Court in Lagos were stalled.
The trial, spearheaded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was expected to resume, but the absence of a crucial approval for a fiat by the chief judge of the Federal High Court put a halt to the legal process.
Fashola, who gained notoriety with his hit song “Am I a Yahoo Boy,” has been embroiled in legal turmoil since the EFCC levied charges against him for alleged cybercrime on May 14, 2019. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, the case has been beset by procedural challenges.
Initially granted bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum by Justice Oweibo, the case was later transferred to Justice Isaac Dipeolu after Justice Oweibo’s transfer out of the Lagos division of the court. However, progress has been slow, with the pending approval of a fiat delaying further proceedings.
During the most recent hearing on March 6, both defence and prosecution counsel confirmed to Justice Dipeolu that the approval was still pending. Consequently, the judge adjourned the case until May 30 for an update, only to find that the approval had yet to be granted, leaving the trial in limbo with no slated date for continuation.
The EFCC alleges that Fashola, along with his accomplices, engaged in fraudulent activities using Access Bank automated teller machine cards between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019. Among the charges, the commission asserts that Fashola unlawfully possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to various individuals with the intent to defraud, violating Sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1), and 33(9) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.
As the legal saga of Naira Marley continues to unfold, the delay in securing the necessary fiat approval prolongs the wait for justice, leaving both supporters and detractors of the controversial musician on edge.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
