GTB, Mastercard officials, seven others to testify at Naira Marley’s trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to present
nine witnesses in its case against musician Azeez Fashola, aka
Naira Marley, The PUNCH report.

According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, the
witnesses would give evidence of their investigation, tender
exhibits and reveal their findings to the court.

Three of the witnesses were said to have taken the defendant’s
and witnesses’ statements.

The remaining are representatives of Mastercard, Visa Inc and
Guaranty Trust Bank, who are expected to tender relevant card and
account details of the defendant to the court.

The artiste was arrested on May 10 at 9 Gbangbala Street, Ikate,
Lekki, Lagos, together with Omomniyi Temidayo (aka Zlatan Ibile)
and three others for alleged advance fee fraud.

After his arrest, the anti-graft agency filed 11 charges against
Naira Marley bordering on alleged cybercrime and identity
theft.

The alleged crimes were in contravention of the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, which the artiste risks
seven years in jail if found guilty.

Section 33 (2) of the Act, which Naira Marley was accused of
contravening reads, “Any person who uses: a counterfeit access
device; an unauthorised access device; an access device issued to
another person; resulting in a loss or gain commits an offence and
shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not
more than seven years or a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 and
forfeiture of the advantage or value derived from his act.”

The charges with suit number FHC/L/178C/19 were filed before a
Lagos State High Court.

Ten days after his arrest, Naira Marley was arraigned before
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,
Lagos.

Justice Oweibo ordered that the artiste be remanded in custody
until May 30 to take the bail application filed by the defendant’s
counsel, Mrs Taiwo Oreagba.

He was subsequently granted bail to the tune of N2m.

According to court documents obtained by The PUNCH, the EFCC has
listed nine witnesses to testify against the artiste at his
trial.

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