- Naira Marley’s cybercrime trial was adjourned until May 30 for an update, but as of the latest hearing, the fiat had not been approved and no new date has been set.
- The Federal High Court in Lagos further adjourned the continuation of Naira Marley’s trial until November 13 and 30, following the defendant’s absence from court.
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Naira Marley on charges bordering on cybercrime, which he was arraigned for on May 20, 2019, pleading not guilty.
Newsypeople- Naira Marley, a popular Nigerian singer, is facing trial for alleged cybercrime. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been prosecuting him since May 14, 2019, on charges bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards, and fraud. The trial has been ongoing, with various adjournments and developments.
Initially, Naira Marley was arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
The trial commenced, with the prosecution presenting evidence, including a virtual projection of a Compact Disc containing 51,933 pages of analysis conducted on Naira Marley’s iPhone.
The prosecution alleged that Naira Marley and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims, and that he used a bank credit card issued to another person to obtain fraudulent financial gains. The EFCC also claimed that Naira Marley possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with intent to defraud, which amounted to theft.
The trial has been marked by several adjournments. On November 30, 2021, the trial was adjourned till February 16, 2022, following the absence of the prosecution’s second witness, Mr. Augustine Anosike, a forensic analyst. Anosike was testifying about the analysis of Naira Marley’s iPhone, which included visual displays of credit card numbers, chats, and incoming and outgoing short message services.
Naira Marley’s Cybercrime Trial Delayed #primetweets #trending #news https://t.co/GnI8puojKf
— Primetweets (@Primetweets_PT) May 31, 2024
On March 6, 2024, the trial was stalled again due to a pending application for fiat before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. The prosecutor, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that the application was dated December 8, 2023, and was awaiting approval. The case was adjourned until May 30, 2024, for a report on the status of the application.
On May 30, 2024, the trial was again stalled because the fiat had yet to be approved. The court adjourned the case without setting a new date for the continuation of the trial.
The EFCC alleged that Naira Marley committed the offences on different dates between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019. The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1), and 33(9) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.
Throughout the trial, Naira Marley has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all the charges levelled against him. His defence counsel has raised various objections and sought to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses.
The trial has been ongoing for several years, with multiple adjournments and developments, but the exact date for its resumption remains uncertain pending the approval of the pending fiat.
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