Naira Marley’s ‘cybercrime’ Trial Stalled

The trial of Naira Marley over alleged internet fraud was stalled on Wednesday at a federal high court in Lagos, following a pending application for fiat before the chief judge of the court.

According to NAN, Bilikisu Buhari, the prosecution counsel, informed Isaac Dipeolu, the judge, that an application for fiat to enable the former judge to continue with the trial of the defendant is awaiting approval.

She said that the application is dated December 8, 2023.

The singer is currently facing trial on 11-count charges bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2019.

EFCC said Marley committed the offence on different dates between November 26 and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019.

The commission alleged that the singer and his accomplices “conspired to use different bank cards to defraud their victims”.

EFCC said the defendant “possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people with intent to obtain fraudulent financial gain which amounted to theft”.

EFCC added that Marley’s actions contravene the provisions of Sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1) and 33 (9) of cyber crime (prohibition) prevention act, 2015.

Naira Marley was arraigned before Nicholas Oweibo, a judge, on May 20, 2019. The singer pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Oweibo would later grant Marley bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Witnesses were still being called when Oweibo transferred out of the Lagos division of the court.

The case was subsequently transferred to Dipeolu, another judge.

During the first trial before the new judge, Buhari appeared for the prosecution while V.C Maduagwu appeared for the defendant.

The defence counsel also confirmed the position as stated by the prosecutor to the court.

After information on the pending application for fiat was brought to the attention of the new judge, the court consequently adjourned the case until May 30.