A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has confessed more exhibits in evidence in the ongoing trial of hip-hop singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as ‘Naira Marley.’
Justice Nicolas Oweibo in his ruling on Wednesday admitted the Compact Disk comprising the phone analysis of the singer, submitted in evidence by the second prosecution witness Anosike Augustine on the ground that the iPhone which was examined has been admitted in evidence before.
Justice Oweibo overruled the objection of Naira Marley’s counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and admitted the CD in evidence marked exhibit ‘F.’
Oweibo said, “l have measured the agreement of both parties as well as the ground for the objection, I consider the CD to be permissible in view of the nature of this case and the evidence of other prosecution witnesses,”.
The trial of the case could not proceed because the defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo, was not in court and sought an adjournment.
The adjournment was not opposed by Bilkisu Buhari, the EFCC’s counsel,.
Justice Oweibo adjourned the further trial to the 8th and 11th of March, 2021.
It could be recalled that the anti-graft agency had on May 20, 2019, arraigned Naira Marley on 11 counts of money laundering and Internet fraud.
The EFCC alleged that some of the credit cards seen in his residence bore the names Nicole Louise Malyon and Timea Fedorne Tatar.
But he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The EFCC said that the offenses contravene Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.