THE NATION
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Friday, October 6, issued a production warrant for singer/rapper Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley.
The warrant, issued by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, ordered that Naira Marley be produced in court to resume his trial for alleged cybercrime-related offences.
The Nation reports that the controversial “Am I a Yahoo boy” and “Soapy” singer, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, October 3, following a police invitation.
The invitation was in connection with the death of his estranged one-time label signee, Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The next day, a Sabo, Yaba, Chief Magistrate’s Court granted the police an order to detain him in their custody for 21 days.
But the detention meant he could not honour his court date for the resumption of his already four-year prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged economic crime.
When the case resumed Friday before Justice Oweibo, the defendant was absent.
The singer’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the judge that Naira Marley was in police custody in connection with Mohbad’s death.
He prayed the court to issue a production warrant for the defendant so that he could be produced in court on the next adjourned day.
EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari confirmed the state of affairs, adding that efforts were underway to ensure his attendance on the next date.
She did not oppose Ojo’s application.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo issued the warrant and adjourned till October 30, 2023, for the continuation of the trial.
