A production warrant has been issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos against Nigerian artist Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley.
A production warrant is a temporary order directing the arrest of an accused person or defendant in order for them to appear in court to answer to a charge.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Naira Marley on 11 counts of conspiracy and credit card theft.
At today’s resumed session, the defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent due to his detention by the Police for interrogation in connection with the murder of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
As a result, Ojo requested that the trial be adjourned.
In her response, prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari further requested that the court issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his appearance in court on the next adjourned date.
Justice Oweibo granted both counsel’s motion and issued a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
The judge further adjourned the case until October 30, 2023, to allow for the continuation of the trial.
Recall that on May 20, 2019, the anti-graft agency arraigned Naira Marley, the singer of the popular song “Am I a Yahoo Boy,” before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
A large crowd of fans gathered to witness his arraignment on an 11-count allegations including money laundering and Internet fraud.
The offenses were committed on various days between November 26, 2018 and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019.
According to the commission, Naira Marley and his associates planned to scam their victims by using various Access Bank ATM cards.
The EFCC also stated that the defendant had and utilized fraudulent credit cards belonging to other people with the purpose to defraud others.
The stated offenses are said to have contravened Sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1), and 33(9) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.
Naira Marley however entered a not guilty plea before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
The court therefore granted him bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum.
