Court Admits More Evidence Against Naira Marley
The trial of Azeez Fashola, popular musician also known as Naira Marley continued on January 27, 2021 with Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos admitting more evidence against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Naira Marley for offence bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud. He pleaded “not guilty” to the 11 counts filed against him.
The EFCC had on February 28, 2020, through its second witness, Augustine Anosike, sought to tender in evidence a compact disc containing information, analysis and extractions from the defendant’s iPhone. The defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN had objected to its admissibility, which was equally opposed to by the prosecution.
Delivering ruling today, Justice Oweibo dismissed the objection, noting that “the disk and investigation report include some of the contents extracted from the iPhone which has already been admitted in evidence”.
The trial judge thus admitted the evidence as Exhibit F.
Thereafter, prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, informed the Court that the prosecution was ready to continue with the case as the witness was in court to continue with his testimony.
Akinwale Kole-Taiwo who appeared for the defence, however appealed with the Court for an adjournment because, “the lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN was in Edo for another matter”.
Following the appeal, Justice Oweibo adjourned till March 8 and 11, 2021 for “continuation of hearing”.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
27 January, 2021
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Court Issues Bench Warrant Against Company Executive Over Broadcast Rights Infringement
A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke, on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 issued a bench warrant against Uzoma Udemba, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Communication Trends Limited for failing to appear in court for his trial. The court also ordered his surety to show cause, why he will not be committed to prison.
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Udemba was arraigned by the Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on November 19, 2020 alongside his company, Communication Trends Limited and Samuel Onyeanuforo for allegedly broadcasting English Premier League matches without the permission of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the rights owner.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the three-count charges and were subsequently granted bail in the sum of N3m each with a surety each in like sum. The matter was adjourned till today for commencement of trial.
However, when the matter was called and the defence counsel, S. O. Okuguni informed the court that the second defendant, Udemba was unavailable as he fell ill immediately after perfecting his bail conditions and was rushed to the United States of America for treatment.
He said, “In the period of his being treated, the second wave of Covid-19 ensued and before he could be released to go for Covid-19 test to enable him come back , having already booked his flight for 25th of January, 2021, the flight was missed as the result did not come out on time”. He prayed the court for a long adjournment to enable his client come back for his trial.
However, Nwandu Ukoha, counsel to the EFCC informed the court about the prosecution’s readiness to commence trail as four prosecution witnesses who travelled down from various states were present in court. “My lord, these people came all the way from Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu and we are ready for this trial. My Lord, we will revert my your mind to the provisions of Section 352 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, so that on the next date if he is not here, the prosecution can go on with the trial in absentia”, Ukoha said.
The prosecution then prayed the court to revoke the bail of the second defendant and issue a bench warrant, which will be forwarded to the Nigeria Immigration Service for the arrest of the defendant anywhere he is seen.
After listening to both sides, the court granted the prosecution’s prayer and issued a bench warrant against Udemba.
The matter was adjourned to February 24, 25 and 26, 2021 for trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
27 January, 2021
