By Jude-ken Ojinnaka
The ongoing Judges Conference in Abuja has stalled the trial of controversial Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley.
The trial which was last adjourned for continuation on Tuesday October 5 could not proceed as the court did not sit due to absence of the trial judge attending the conference.
Consequently, the new dates for continuation of his trial as agreed by parties are 24th and 25th of October.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on May 20, 2019, preferred an 11-count fraud charge before against Azeez Fashola before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The counts of the charge bordered on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards and fraud.
Fashola, who sang the popular song: “Am I a Yahoo Boy?”, was consequently, arraigned before Justice Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.
The court had granted him bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum.
According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offences on different dates between November 26, 2018 and December 11, 2018, as well as May 10, 2019.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Fashola and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims.
It alleged that the defendant used a bank credit card issued to another person, in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains.
The Commission further alleged that the defendant 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 Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.