Mobolaji Michael
JUSTICE Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, earlier today (Monday, 30 October 2023) adjourned till 13 November 2023 the trial of Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola (popularly known as Naira Marley), owing to the failure of the Police to produce him in court for continuation of his trial.
Naira Marley is been prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on an 11-count charges bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud.
At the last sitting on 6 October 2023, counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent in court owing to his detention by the Police for interrogation in respect of the murder of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (professionally known as MohBad).
Ojo had, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment of the trial.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari had prayed the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date.
After listening to both parties, Justice Oweibo granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel and also issued a production warrant against the defendant.
The judge also adjourned till Monday, 30 October 2023 for the continuation of trial.
At Monday’s sitting, however, the defendant was not present in court.
Buhari told the court that though the prosecution served the Police with the production warrant, the defendant was not brought to court.
She, therefore, prayed the court for a further date to follow up with the Police to produce the defendant.
Consequently, the judge adjourned the case till 13 and 30 November 2023 for continuation of trial.
Eighteen-Eleven Media