Court orders arrest of Naira Marley over ‘car theft’

A Lagos chief magistrates’ court has ordered for the arrest and arraignment of Azeez Fashola, Nigerian musician better known as Naira Marley, over car theft allegations.

Tajudeen Elias, the court magistrate, on Monday, ordered that Sunday Idoko, the investigating police officer (IPO) handling the case, must present Marley before the court on December 21.

Idris Fashola and Babatunde Fashola, Marley’s brothers, and Kunle Obere, his cousin, appeared in court over car and cellphone theft allegations.

The three defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, assault and obstructing the arrest of Marley.

Elias granted them a 500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and ordered the IPO to produce the singer before December 21, when the case would be listed for further hearing.

Edet Okoi, the prosecutor, had told the court that the three defendants committed the offenses on December 16, at the Eko Hotel roundabout in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He added that the defendants, who were in a motorcade with Marley, stole a Toyota Camry vehicle with registration number, ‘FEE 120 AA’ valued at N1.8 million and an iPhone XS worth N330,000 belonging to one Adelekan Ademola.

He also said the trio and others at large assaulted the complaint by beating him up

“One of the vehicles in the musiciaon’s motorcade hit the complainant’s vehicle from the back while he was throwing out money from his vehicle to his fans.”He said.

“When the complainant came down from the vehicle to inspect the damage, Obere entered into the complainant’s Camry and drove it off with the motorcade.

“Ademola reported to the police and the vehicle was tracked to where it was parked at Jakande Crescent, Oniru in Lagos.

“When the police arrived at the location in company with the complainant, Naira Marley and his boys started beating the complainant.”

Okoi alleged that the defendants and others at large obstructed the police while performing their lawful duty and prevented them from arresting Naira Marley.

” A group of boys obstructed the police from arresting the musician but they were able to apprehend the three defendants,” he added.