Police arraign Iyanya for ‘car theft’ ⁠– after Naira Marley

Iyanya Mbuk, Nigeria’s R&B singer better known as Iyanya, has been arraigned before a high court in Lagos state for alleged car theft.

Iyanya was arraigned before Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of the Igbosere high court on Tuesday by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi for allegedly stealing a car.

The PSFU had charged Iyanya for the offense, which he was said to have committed in September 2018. The police had filed one-count charge against the singer on March 15, 2019.

The “Kukereme” master’s arraignment came after the presiding judge had threatened to invoke the court’s power as he had caused the case to be adjourned six times on account of his absence.

During the hearing, it was alleged that Iyana “dishonestly converted to his use” a company’s black Toyota SUV in an offense punishable under section 285(10) of Lagos’ 2011 criminal law.

Iyanya pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chukwu Agwu, the prosecution counsel, prayed the court to remand Iyanya, pending the hearing and determination of his bail.

Iyanya’s counsel, however, called on the court to release the singer. He also signed an undertaking to produce him in court on the next adjournment.

Okikiolu-Ighile, who presided over the case, granted the defense counsel’s prayer and adjourned till February 27 and March 17 to hear Iyanya’s bail application.

Iyanya’s arraignment comes not long after Naira Marley, a controversial street singer, faced similar allegations.

The court had later struck out the charges pressed against him.