Naira Marley’s trial stalled as EFCC fails to produce witness in court

The absence of a prosecution witness, Augustine Anosike, has stalled the ongoing trial of a popular Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

Mr Anosike, a forensic analyst, is testifying as a second prosecution witness in the case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendant on charges bordering on cybercrime.

Fashola was arrested on May 14, 2019.

The musician, who sang the popular song ‘Am I a Yahoo boy’, was arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.

The court had accordingly granted him (Naira Marley) bail in N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

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The trial had since commenced in the case, and the second prosecution witness who concluded his examination in chief on October 27, was scheduled for cross-examination on Tuesday.

When the case was called, Rotimi Oyedepo announced an appearance for the prosecution, while Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for the defendant.

Mr Oyedepo informed the court that his witness was unavoidably absent on what he termed “compassionate grounds.”