Naira Marley
The criminal trial of Nigerian singer Naira Marley hit a roadblock at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, as proceedings were adjourned due to a pending application for fiat before the Chief Judge of the court.
The trial judge, Isaac Dipeolu, was informed by the prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, that an application for fiat, necessary for the former Judge to continue presiding over the trial of the defendant, was awaiting approval from the Chief Judge. Buhari disclosed that the application had been submitted on December 8, 2023.
Naira Marley, the acclaimed ‘Am I a yahoo boy’ crooner, faces cybercrime charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges, filed on May 14, 2019, alleged cyber fraud perpetrated between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019.
During his arraignment before Judge Nicholas Oweibo on May 20, 2019, Naira Marley pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
The trial had commenced with witnesses being called when Judge Oweibo was transferred out of the Lagos division of the court. The case was then reassigned to Judge Dipeolu.
During the recent hearing, V.C. Maduagwu appeared for the defendant, confirming the need for approval of the fiat by the Chief Judge, as stated by the prosecutor. Consequently, the court adjourned the case until May 30, for a progress report.