Evidence Mounts against Naira Marley

A recent court hearing further indicted Nigerian artist Naira Marley of the charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency had on May 14, 2019, slammed an 11-count charge on the singer which included conspiracy and possession of counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with intent to defraud which amounted to theft.

According to EFCC, Naira Marley whose real name is Azeez Fashola committed the offences on different dates: between November 26 and December 11, 2018; and May 10, 2019.

At a Federal High Court in Lagos last Wednesday, the EFCC through its second witness, a forensic analyst, virtually projected a Compact Disc (CD) with 51,933 pages analysis of Marley’s iPhone. The CD displayed credit numbers, chat, and incoming and outgoing messages from the singer’s mobile phone. The witness identified the “message trafficking” between the numbers +447426343432 and +447548061528. Following the new evidence, the presiding judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the trial until November 30, December 13, and December 14.

Although Marley had earlier pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences which are contrary to the provisions of Sections 123 (1) (b), 27 (1) and 33(9) of Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015, with this new evidence if found guilty, is likely to face a five or seven-year imprisonment.