The trial of controversial singer, Naira Marley, who was charged with alleged cybercrime, has stalled due to the absence of the judge meant to give a verdict in the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State.
The court scheduled to sit on Monday, November 13, for the trial, failed because the the trial judge, Justice Nicholas Owiebo, reportedly attended a judges’ conference.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley on charges bordering on cybercrime since May 14, 2019.
Fashola was consequently arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.
The court had, accordingly, granted him bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The trial has since commenced in the case and is still ongoing.
Justice Oweibo had issued a warrant for the production of the defendant following his absence from the trial on October 6.
Oweibo’s order followed an application for a production warrant by the prosecution, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari.
At the last adjourned date on October 30, defence counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) had informed the court that the defendant was still clearly absent from court despite the court’s order for his production.
The court had, consequently, adjourned the case until November 13 and 30 for the continuation of the trial.