Court Admits Evidence Against Naira Marley

The trial of Azeez Fashola, popular musician also known as Naira Marley continued on January 27, 2021 with Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos admitting more evidence against him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Naira Marley for offence bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud. He pleaded “not guilty” to the 11 counts filed against him.

The EFCC had on February 28, 2020, through its second witness, Augustine Anosike, sought to tender in evidence a compact disc containing information, analysis and extractions from the defendant’s iPhone. The defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN had objected to its admissibility, which was equally opposed to by the prosecution.

Delivering ruling Wednesday, Justice Oweibo dismissed the objection, noting that “the disk and investigation report include some of the contents extracted from the iPhone which has already been admitted in evidence”.

According to a statement from the EFCC, the trial judge thus admitted the evidence as Exhibit F.

Thereafter, prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, informed the Court that the prosecution was ready to continue with the case as the witness was in court to continue with his testimony.

Akinwale Kole-Taiwo who appeared for the defence, however appealed with the Court for an adjournment because, “the lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN was in Edo for another matter”.

Following the appeal, Justice Oweibo adjourned till March 8 and 11, 2021 for “continuation of hearing”.