‘Cyber fraud’: Court adjourns Naira Marley’s trial till Oct 5

A federal high court sitting in Lagos state has adjourned the case on alleged cyber fraud against Azeez Fashola, the controversial singer better known as Naira Marley, till October 5, 2021.

In May 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged the singer with 11 counts bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards, and fraud.

In January this year, a Lagos court had also admitted more evidence against the singer through a CD containing phone analysis of the defendant tendered through the witness after an iPhone was earlier admitted in evidence before the court.

The EFCC had alleged that the singer and his accomplices conspired to use different ATM cards to defraud victims.

Naira Marley had pleaded not guilty, thereby leading to his trial. Since the trial commenced, the prosecution has called two witnesses, Nuru Buhari Dalhatu and Augustine Anosike, both forensic experts with the EFCC.

The pair had spoken in the court about how the defendant frequently visited sites where stolen credit cards were sold to interested fraudsters as well as other “shocking” evidence recovered from the defendant’s mobile device.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, Bilkisu Buhari, the prosecution counsel, said the matter was slated for the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, PW2, Anosike.

She urged the court to call on the witness for the continuation of the hearing.  Akinwale Kola-Taiwo, counsel to the defendants, pointed out that “the matter is for mention today, not continuation as disclosed by the prosecution.”

Oweibo, the presiding judge, granted the prayer of the defense and adjourned till October 5, 6, and 7 for the continuation of trial.