Alleged fraud: Court asks EFCC to produce Naira Marley for trial
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has issued a production warrant against Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley.
A production warrant is said to be a warrant issued when a trial judge needs an accused, who is already in custody of the government to appear before the court.
According to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission Justice Nicholas Oweibo issued the warrant on Friday, October 6, 2023.
According to a statement by the anti-graft agency, at the resumed sitting, counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent from court owing to his being detained by the Police for interrogation.
The prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date.
Justice Oweibo granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel and issued a production warrant against the defendant.
The statement reads; “Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, October 5, 2023, issued a production warrant against Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley.
“Naira Marley is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 11-count charges bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud. At the resumed sitting on Friday, counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent from court owing to his being detained by the Police for interrogation in respect of the murder of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
Ojo, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment of the trial. Responding, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date. Justice Oweibo granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel and issued a production warrant against the defendant. The judge further adjourned the matter till October 30, 2023 for continuation of trial.”
