By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered that reproduction warrant be issued on Azeez Fashola a.k.a.Naira Marley for him to be produced in court next adjourned date in continuation of his trial over alleged cybercrime fraud
Justice Nicholas Oweibo issued the order following the submission of Naira Marley’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), when it was noted that the defendant was not in court.
When the case was mentioned and the defendant was not in court, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the court that Naira Marley was unavoidably absent having been taken into custody by the Police after he voluntarily surrendered himself to Police for interrogation in connection with the death of another artist, Illerioluwa Aloba a.k.a. Mobahd.
Consequently, he urged the court to issue a reproduction warrant for the defendant to be produced in court next adjourned day.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) prosecuting counsel Bilikisu Buhari, leading another Senior counsel, confirmed the submission of Olalekan Ojo, that indeed the defendant is in Police custody, adding that effort is been made to ensure that his attendance is secured during the next court sitting.
She did not oppose the request made by the Silk counsel Ojo.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo while adjourning till October 30, 2023 for continuation of the trial, ordered that reproduction warrant be issued for Naira Marley to be produced in court on the next adjourned day if he is still in Police custody.
Azeez Fashola a.k.a.Naira Marley is standing trial before the court on cyber crime related offences.
In the charge filed before the court by the EFCC, it was alleged that Azeez Fashola, a.k.a Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 11th day of December 2018, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst themselves to use Access card 42658840359191132 issued to persons other than him in a bid to obtain gain and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 33(2) of the Same Act.
It was also alleged that Azeez Adeshina Fashola, a.k.a Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 10th day of May 2019, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to defraud possessed, counterfeit card 4921819410257431 issued to one Timea Fedorne Tatar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(9) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act