Lack of Evidence Stalls Naira Marley’s Trial as EFCC Arraigns Maina on Friday

The trial of Afeez Adesina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley before Justice I. Nicholas Oweibo sitting in Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos was stalled today, Tuesday, October 22, 2019, as the defense counsel brought in a “motion on notice” asking the prosecution to front load more documents.

The Nigeria artiste, Afeez Adesina Fashola was arraigned, on May 20, 2019 on an 11-count charge of credit card fraud preferred against him by the EFCC.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charge leading to the commencement of trial.

It will be recalled that, EFCC Lagos Zonal office, had on Friday, May 10, 2019, arrested two fast-rising Nigerian musicians – Afeez Adesina Fashola (Naira Marley) and Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael (Zlatan), in connection with alleged case of internet fraud and money laundering. Intelligence report had also linked them to cybercrime offences.

They were arrested in an early morning raid at 9, Gbangbola Street, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos alongside Tiamiu Abdulrahman Kayode, Adewunmi Adeyanju Moses and Abubakar Musa.

However, on Thursday, May 30, 2019,Justice Nicholas I. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, granted bail to Naira Marley, in the sum of N2, 000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) and the case was adjourned to October 22, 23 and 24, 2019 for commencement of trial.

In another development, EFCC is set to Arraign Abdulrasheed Maina on Friday, October 25, 2019 before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Folashade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday October 22, 2019, gave an order, authorising the federal government to take over 23 properties belonging to the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

The Commission will arraign him on 12-count charges, bothering on money laundering, operating fictitious bank accounts and fraud.

List of Properties belonging to Abdulrasheed Maina Forfeited to FG

Also to be arraigned same day, in same court on a separate but similar charge is his son, Faisal.

Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime Section of the EFCC, Abuja Zonal office, have arrested four suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.

The suspects, Chijioke Okwuosah, Emeka Basil, Ayian Chimere and Elochukwu Godwill Oguonu were arrested during a sting operation in the early hours of Friday, October 18, 2019 at House 34 and 35, 31Road Efab Estate Lokogoma, Abuja, following intelligence reports received by the Commission about their alleged involvement in the criminal activity.

Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include mobile phones, laptops and 2 cars. The suspects will soon be charged to court.