Naira Marley’s Cybercrime Trial Stalled in Court Due to Pending Application for Fiat

The ongoing criminal trial of Nigerian music artist Azeez Fashola, famously known as Naira Marley, hit a snag today at a Federal High Court in Lagos as a result of a pending application for fiat awaiting approval from the Chief Judge of the court.

The prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, informed Justice Isaac Dipeolu that the application for fiat, which would allow the former judge to proceed with the defendant’s trial, was submitted on December 8, 2023.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Naira Marley on charges related to cybercrime, initially brought against him on May 14, 2019.

Fashola, who performed the hit song ‘Am I a yahoo boy?’, pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on May 20, 2019, and was granted bail.

As the trial progressed, Justice Oweibo was transferred out of the Lagos division, leading to the case being reassigned to Justice Dipeolu.

During today’s court session, Buhari represented the prosecution, while V.C. Maduagwu appeared for the defense, affirming the status of the pending application for fiat.

The trial’s adjournment until May 30 was prompted by the need for approval of the fiat application, as disclosed by the defense counsel and prosecutor in court.

The EFCC’s allegations against Naira Marley spanned various dates in 2018 and 2019, centering on the use of unauthorized Access Bank ATM cards to commit fraud.

The charges levied against Naira Marley are in violation of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act of 2015, according to the EFCC.