By Abiola Olawale
Following the resumption of the trial proceeding of Azeez Fashola, popularly known as ‘Naira Marley’, a Federal High Court in Lagos has admitted, on Wednesday, the analysis of the contents of an iPhone allegedly owned by the hip-hop singer.
While announcing the development at the court trial, Honorable Justice Nicolas Oweibo, the presiding judge, admitted the CD marked as ‘Exhibit F’, which was tendered at the court by the counsel to the second prosecutor, Anosike Augustine, on the ground that the iPhone itself had already been presented as evidence at the start of the case, in 2019.
The judgement is in contrast with the argument of Olalekan Ojo (SAN), the counsel to Marley.
Ojo had already prayed the court before Wednesday’s trial to strike out the attempt by the prosecutor to invade the privacy of his client by analyzing the phone allegedly found in his custody.
Giving his judgement, Justice Oweibo overruled the objection and admitted the evidence.
The judgement read thus, “I have considered the agreement of both parties as well as the ground for the objection. I consider the CD to be admissible in view of the nature of his case and the evidence of other prosecution witness. Accordingly, it is hereby admitted in evidence and marked Exhibit F.”
However, the court proceeding was stalled due to the absence of Ojo. Akinwale Kola-Taiwo who is Ojo’s team, pleaded for adjournment. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)’s counsel, Bilkisu Buhari did not oppose the appeal.
Following the agreement of all parties involved, Justice Oweibo adjourned the trial till March 8 and 11.
It would be recalled that the Soapy crooner was charged to court following his arrest by the EFCC in 2019. Marley was arraigned on 11 counts of money laundering and internet fraud.
Many exhibit were allegedly found in his custody, among which are two credit cards which bore the names of Nicole Louise Malyon and Timea Fedorne Tatar respectively. The hip-hop artist has however pleaded not guilty to all the crimes listed against him.
